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SALT LAKE CITY — Police are investigating a case of vandalism at a Salt Lake City elementary school as a potential hate crime.
Police say a resident called them after finding hate speech sprayed on the property of Bonneville Elementary Sunday morning.
When police arrived, they found multiple instances of red and purple paint and white chalk at the school, located at 1145 S. 1900 East in Salt Lake City, police said.
The vandalism contained statements that police say are "racist, homophobic, and antisemitic." They say they also found hate speech directed at people who have physical disabilities, police said.
The vandalism is being investigated as a potential hate crime because it involves "hate speech during and in the furtherance of the criminal mischief," police said.
Police said they believe the vandalism occurred between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning.
On social media, Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown said, "This is our community. We don't tolerate hate. When there's a hate crime in our city, we unite, we grow stronger, and we stand up to bigotry and evilness."
This is our community. We don't tolerate hate.
— Chief Mike Brown (@ChiefMikeBrown) December 17, 2023
When there's a hate crime in our city, we unite, we grow stronger, and we stand up to bigotry and evilness.
I'm proud to see Salt Lakers of all ages covering Bonneville Elementary with love & compassion.#SLC#SLCPD#SaltLakeCityhttps://t.co/vkzMyw8WPMpic.twitter.com/ieOJVvWVHC
Surveillance footage from the school may help in the investigation, police said. Law enforcement is working with the school district to review the footage.
The Salt Lake City Police Department asks that residents in the community check their home security systems for any recordings of suspicious activity.
Anyone with information about this vandalism at the school should call 801-799-3000 for case number 23-282047.
