Pyreaux Posted February 9 Posted February 9 There was a series of property crimes targeting meetinghouses in the Salt Lake Valley. Fremont Avenue Failed Rock Siege At a meetinghouse on Fremont Avenue in Salt Lake City, vandals used heavy river rocks and masonry debris found near the site in a "siege" attempt. They first targeted the main entry doors, throwing large rocks in an attempt to shatter the reinforced glass. That failed, they moved to the side of the building and threw rocks at higher-level windows, successfully breaking several. Despite the broken glass, the vandals failed to gain entry to the building. However, the damage to the custom-tempered glass used in modern meetinghouses was estimated at several thousand dollars. The Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) and local analysts have looked closely at these cases. SLCPD Public Information Officer Brent Wilking noted that it is currently being treated as vandalism/criminal mischief rather than a hate crime. Its thought to be a failed attempt at burglary (looking for electronics or food) rather than religious hatred, especially since the vandals gave up once they realized they couldn't easily climb through the broken windows. Gephardt Daily - LDS Church meetinghouse vandalized in Salt Lake City West Valley City drive-by Rock Bandits The next building reported shattered windows on the side facing the street. Unlike the other, this one appeared to be a "drive-by" rock throwing, as the rocks were smaller and the damage was less concentrated on the entry points. West Valley City (WVC) police have monitored a rash of rock-related incidents involving multiple LDS Churches and cars in the three cities for nearly three weeks. Police said altogether, 11 LDS chapels and nearly 50 cars were hit. The take center along 1300 West in West Jordan was also hit. Unified Police Department said four people were arrested over the weekend in connection with the crimes. They are working with both the Sandy and West Jordan Police Departments on potentially bringing charges. Police have not yet released information regarding a possible motive or the identities of those involved. KSL - Police catch 'rock bandits' after LDS chapel vandalism around Salt Lake County The Magna Fire Extinguisher Dusting The "big" vandalism story in that specific region, it is the Magna meetinghouse (near West Valley). This was far more severe than the rock attacks. Vandals sprayed fire extinguishers throughout the building. The corrosive dust destroyed the organ, caked the hallways, and ruined the carpets. Bathrooms were damaged, including broken mirrors and sinks, classrooms, the chapel area and a piano were also damaged as the vandals apparently used whatever they could find to bash anything and break stuff. $60,000 in damages. Nothing was reported as stolen from the building. It being investigated by several agencies including the Metro Gang Unit because of the graffiti that was found inside. Detectives are also searching for any surveillance video from businesses or residents that may have recorded the vandal or vandal KSL - Vandals cause at least $60K in damage to Magna church In early January 2026, a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cedar Hills, Utah, was targeted in a significant act of vandalism. Reported by local news outlets KSL, Deseret News, and Mid-Utah Radio. Ceder Hill, Utah gets Tagged According to reports from the American Fork Police Department, which oversees Cedar Hills, the perpetrators entered the building around January 9–10, with police reports surfacing on January 12, 2026. Nearly every chair and couch in the foyer and common areas was either overturned or physically broken. Including bending the metal chairs. They didn't go in the chapel. "Scribbles" and graffiti were spray-painted across classroom tables and several chalkboards. The vandals targeted the building's infrastructure by ripping benches, hitting walls and using them to knock thermostats off the walls and destroying them. Lieutenant Josh Christensen of the American Fork Police estimated the cost of the damage to be at least $2,000, which is just a preliminary figure to repair surfaces and furniture. No arrests have been made. Police have been reviewing nearby residential surveillance footage to identify any suspicious vehicles or individuals in the area during the Friday night timeframe. The incident follows a broader trend of vandalism against Church property in Utah, police have not yet categorized the Cedar Hills incident as a hate crime, as no specific derogatory messages were left behind, only "scribbles". No photos are available, it seems due to the investigation. Mid-Utah Radio, "Police: LDS Cedar Hills meetinghouse vandalized," January 12, 2026. American Fork Police Department, Case File 2026-CH-0042 (January incident report). My Commentary on Culpability The FBI have noted a "clustering" effect or serial nature of these crimes. Because the Church Arson Prevention Act gives federal authorities jurisdiction over the "intentional defacement or destruction of religious real property," the FBI tracks whether these clusters are coordinated by a group or are simply unorganized "copycat" crimes. Among the theories put forward by security analysts, like at ASIS International and The Family Research Council, drawn from other local incidents noted that local vandals often use "talking points" found in online forums. Church vandalism often spikes in direct correlation with "hot-button" online trends. In several incidents across the Salt Lake Valley and the Pacific Northwest, meetinghouses and temples have been tagged with phrases like "Tax the Rich," "Billion Dollar Cult," or "Build Housing, Not Temples." These phrases are not from news sources; they are direct talking points from social media platforms like X and Reddit about its financial holdings. The "Predators Welcome" Spree in Sandy and Draper, Utah, regarded the Church’s internal abuse reporting. The 2022 Supreme Court Rowe v. Wade decision, LDS buildings were targeted with "Jane's Revenge" slogans, a name and talking point that originated entirely in online spaces. It tells investigators that certain perpetrators are likely someone deeply immersed in specific online communities. The "Permission Structure" is a psychological term used to describe how constant negative online discourse regarding the Church’s financial holdings or the abuse help line controversy can lower the moral barrier for criminal acts. So, Vandals may not see their actions as "hate crimes" but as a form of social justice or activism. They believe they are punching up against a powerful institution. The buildings are assets, not churches, where the vandals explicitly leave online talking points as their manifesto. While most online posters enjoy plausible deniability, they are more culpable than many realize. When influencer demonizes a group, they don't give a direct order, they "load the gun" by making violence feel statistically inevitable. This stochastic terrorism remains legally insulated because they never provide a specific time, place, or person for the attack. They essentially benefit from indirect incitement. "Disinformation loads the gun, but hate speech pulls the trigger" (U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom) 2
The Nehor Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Bending all the metal folding chairs? Wow, that is kind of impressive. While I agree that those saying this stuff are morally culpable in the US they almost certainly aren’t legally culpable. Stochastic terrorism and indirect incitement has been an ongoing norm for some time now. 2
longview Posted February 9 Posted February 9 19 minutes ago, The Nehor said: While I agree that those saying this stuff are morally culpable in the US they almost certainly aren’t legally culpable. Stochastic terrorism and indirect incitement has been an ongoing norm for some time now. Kind of like your tagline "Always be punching . . ." you know who? Label the "offenders" then unleash antifa hordes on them?
Calm Posted February 9 Posted February 9 (edited) 1 hour ago, Pyreaux said: Unified Police Department said four people were arrested over the weekend in connection with the crimes. Make them and the other vandals pay for the damage….either in cash, garnished wages, or community service hours imo. 55 minutes ago, The Nehor said: Bending all the metal folding chairs? Wow, that is kind of impressive. Got their resistance training in for the week. Edited February 9 by Calm 2
Popular Post Pyreaux Posted February 9 Author Popular Post Posted February 9 47 minutes ago, longview said: Kind of like your tagline "Always be punching . . ." you know who? Label the "offenders" then unleash antifa hordes on them? Come now, don't continue your heated political conversation here, or you'll get it locked too. 5
Calm Posted February 10 Posted February 10 5 minutes ago, Pyreaux said: Come now, don't continue your heated political conversation here, or you'll get it locked too. I second that 1
blackstrap Posted February 10 Posted February 10 Time to invest in a security camera or two. That, and the Elder's quorum could be given a patrol schedule, and a couple of paint guns.🙄 1
Pyreaux Posted February 10 Author Posted February 10 3 hours ago, Calm said: Make them and the other vandals pay for the damage….either in cash, garnished wages, or community service hours imo. Got their resistance training in for the week. Well, some of the 4 are juveniles. We'll see.
The Nehor Posted February 10 Posted February 10 5 hours ago, longview said: Kind of like your tagline "Always be punching . . ." you know who? Label the "offenders" then unleash antifa hordes on them?
Calm Posted February 10 Posted February 10 14 minutes ago, Pyreaux said: Well, some of the 4 are juveniles. We'll see. Community service then.
The Nehor Posted February 10 Posted February 10 10 hours ago, Calm said: Community service then. Probably the best response. 1
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