Salt Lake City officers have arrested two men in connection with “significant” gang-related damage done to a park on the west side, according to a news release.
At about 10:30 p.m. on Friday, a community member called 911 saying that three people were using blue spray paint to damage Jackson Park at 781 W. 500 North, in the Fairpark neighborhood.
Officers entered the park and arrested an 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old man, who both had blue paint on their hands, the news release said. A blue spray paint can was also found nearby.
The two men were booked into jail on suspicion of unlawful property damage, public intoxication and criminal trespass, the release said. The 19-year-old was also booked on suspicion of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
(SLCPD) Gang-related damage is shown at Jackson Park on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
Officers also detained a girl who was with the two men, and criminal charges against her will be screened, according to the release.
Due to the scope and significance of the damage, police recommended that the men be charged with felony property damage, the release said. The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office will review the case.
The Salt Lake City Parks Division conducted an emergency cleanup of the park on Saturday to mitigate the damage.
If you see graffiti within Salt Lake City’s boundaries, call the graffiti hotline at 801-972-7885 or report graffiti online.
The Salt Lake Tribune generally does not identify suspects unless they have been charged with a crime.
