LOCAL NEWS

Vandals Defaced, Tagged Over 12 Homes in Midvale Neighborhood

Dec 8, 2018, 8:16 PM | Updated: 8:19 pm

MIDVALE, Utah – Vandals defaced and tagged more than 12 homes in a Midvale neighborhood early Saturday morning.

Fences, sheds and a dozen abandoned homes were left with scars.

“I have lived here for 17 years,” Spencer Mears told KSL 5 TV. “And I have never seen anything like this.  I woke up today, and I looked out my front door to see large amounts of graffiti.”

Mears said the neighborhood has gone downhill ever since the Utah Department of Transportation started purchasing homes on Adams and Hoover Streets near Northbound I-15.

32 homeowners in the Midvale neighborhood have agreed to offers with UDOT to sell their homes and have them demolished.

UDOT Public Information Officer, John Gleason, told KSL 5 TV 49 homes will eventually be demolished to make way for the widening of Northbound I-15.

“I-15 is our most heavily traveled freeway, and there’s a lot of congestion in the south end of the valley,” Gleason said.

The project, set to start construction next summer, will add northbound lanes from Bangerter Highway to 7200 South.

UDOT has 30 to 90 days to secure the proper permits for demolition. Neighbors say it’s been longer than that.

“They told us they were going to tear down homes in October. It’s December, and it hasn’t happened yet,” Mears said.

UDOT officials noted turning off utilities, securing permits and finalizing contracts take time – sometimes months.

But neighbors are tired of waiting.

“I just want to keep my family safe, and trouble keeps happening when the sun goes down” Mears said.

Unified Police Department Detectives confirmed vandalism was on the rise and the transient population had significantly increased in this neighborhood.

UPD added six patrol officers to the area.

“There is gang graffiti here,” Unified Detective Ken Hansen said pointing to the vandalism. “There’s also tag graffiti, and there’s graffiti telling us the world is going to come to an end. This shows me not just one group did all of this.”

All of the homes set to be demolished are boarded up, and recently UDOT has shut down gas lines and electricity.

“Our worry is that transients will break in and start a fire,” Detective Hansen said.

UDOT officials said the first homes will be demolished the week of December 17th.

Three to five homes can be demolished each week.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Will Malizia walks up the road to his truck after a day of skiing Snowbird Ski Resort is seen in Li...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Warning issued for parts of Utah ahead of ‘significant’ late season winter storm

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the Wasatch and western Uinta mountains ahead of a "significant late season storm" that could dump as much as 1 to 2 feet in parts of the region between Sunday and Tuesday.

1 hour ago

Phil Lyman Announces Natalie Clawson as His Pick for Lieutenant Governor....

Carlysle Price

Phil Lyman announces Natalie Clawson as selection for lieutenant govornor

Phil Lyman announced Natalie Clawson to be his selection for lieutenant governor in a release posted on X this morning.

2 hours ago

FILE: A northbound FrontRunner train pulls out of the Lehi Station on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. (Scott...

Collin Leonard, KSL.com

Major FrontRunner delays expected after person hit by train

A "train vs. person" incident caused significant FrontRunner delays between Salt Lake City and Provo on Saturday, according to the Utah Transit Authority.

3 hours ago

Since it opened in September of 1979, first Symphony Hall and then renamed Abravanel Hall, for the ...

Carole Mikita

Growing concerns for the future of Abravanel Hall

Following the announcement of an NHL team and plans for a sports and entertainment district, there have been questions about the future of the Salt Lake County owned Abravanel Hall.

4 hours ago

MADISON, WISCONSIN - MAY 05: Signs to commemorate Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls a...

Tim Vandenack, KSL.com

Utah group hosting healing and prayer event for missing, murdered Indigenous people

Recognizing the disproportionately high rates of violence that Indigenous people face, Shelby Chapoose hopes, can lead to change. Indigenous Health and Wellness Connections advocacy group is hosting a Healing and Prayer Event on Sunday as part of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day.

4 hours ago

Amber Pyne being arrested by police after struggling from them while in handcuffs....

Andrew Adams

Body cameras capture sudden struggle in Tooele with ‘Proud Boys’ fugitive

During a recent search for a fugitive inside a home on East Bench, police said they suddenly found themselves in a potentially dangerous struggle with someone else. It was a wanted fugitive from out-of-state they had no idea was in town.

18 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Side view at diverse group of children sitting in row at school classroom and using laptops...

PC Laptops

5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids

Read these tips about internet safety for kids so that your children can use this tool for learning and discovery in positive ways.

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Vandals Defaced, Tagged Over 12 Homes in Midvale Neighborhood