Hate Targets Two Simi Valley Places in Quick Succession

A church on E. Cochran Street had its welcome sign defaced with slurs against the LGBTQ+ community on April 16, a week after a mosque in the same city faced a possible hate crime. Police arrived at about 12:42 p. m. to see the sign that originally read “Jesus accepts everyone” altered with hateful language. The cost of repairs is roughly $100, and no one has been arrested yet. The Simi Valley Police Department says the incident is being treated as both vandalism and a hate crime. Investigators are looking into who left the messages and how they were delivered. The department is also working on a separate case that happened earlier in the month.On April 7, officers responded to the Islamic Society of Simi Valley just before 10 p. m. after a person shoved several handwritten notes on business‑card sized paper through the front door. Those notes, like the ones at the church, were also offensive. Both events show a troubling pattern of hate in the community. Local leaders are calling for more protection and dialogue to prevent further attacks. The police encourage anyone with information to come forward. The city’s leaders have pledged support for all faith groups and urge residents to report any suspicious activity. The goal is to keep neighborhoods safe for everyone, regardless of faith or identity.