Vandalism report at three locations in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS – A symbol of hate popped up in the northwest quadrant this weekend as someone spray-painted swastikas at three different spots.

The first appeared Saturday at the Church on Fire Christian Center at 4980 Gordon Ave. NW. On Sunday, people noticed one spray-painted on a van on Elder Lane Northwest. Truman Elementary School also got vandalized with four swastikas on signs and windows.

“It's a strong statement that can bring up a lot of trouble,” Scott Sullivan, who lives across the street from Truman, said. “It's disgusting someone would do that.”

Cory Berg also lives nearby. He said, “I never would have thought that would happen in the neighborhood I'm living in.”

The pastor of the “Church on Fire Christian Center” also found a swastika scrawled on the side of his building.

“We actually prayed for the person that did it…that they would have a change of heart…so they don't have hatred in their heart,” Pastor Brenton Hall said.

Pastor Hall washed away the graffiti with the help of his family, but the image remains etched in his mind.

“Hopefully, they'll catch whoever is doing it and put a stop to it because it's something that doesn't need to be in our city,” Hall said.

Police are still investigating this situation and can't remember the last time something like this happened in Cedar Rapids.

The punishment is more severe if police determine it is a hate crime directed at a particular group.