• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Subscribe
Program Guide
Watch Live

CCX Media

Skip NavigationMenu
  • News
    • Close
        • CCX News
          • CCX News Home
          • News Stories
            • CCX Daily Newscast
          • CCX News Special Reports
          • CCX Media Schools
        • Feature Segments

          • Business Matters
          • School Spotlight
          • Standout Student
          • Weekend Showcase
          • Newsmakers
        • News Tip

          Send us a story idea or news tip!
          Facebook Instagram Twitter
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
        • Apple News
    • Close
  • Sports
    • Close
        • CCX Sports
          • CCX Sports Home
          • Sports Tips
          • Hall of Fame
          • Upcoming Event Coverage
          • Play of the Week
        • Sports Coverage

          Adapted SportsAdditional SportsBaseballBasketballFootball
          GymnasticsHockeyLacrosseSoccerSoftball
          Swimming & DivingTennisTrack & FieldVolleyballWrestling
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter Instagram
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
          Shop/Order
    • Close
  • Cities
    • Close
        • CCX Cities
          • CCX Cities Home
          • The Connection
          • In The Community
          • Our Town’s Story
          • Community Resources
          • CCX Media Schools
          • City Meetings
        • Your City

          Brooklyn Center Local News and Events
          Brooklyn Park MN Local News and Events
          Crystal
          Golden Valley
          Maple Grove
          New Hope
          Osseo
          Plymouth
          Robbinsdale
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
    • Close
  • Create
    • Close
        • CCX Create
          • CCX Create Home
          • Channels
          • Resources
          • Meet The Create Team
          • CCX Create Virtual Tour
        • Get Creative

          • Make Your Own Show
          • Free Classes
          • Contact Us
          • Polka Spotlight
          • Diversity Minute
        • RueShare

          • Member Login
          • Member Guide
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter Instagram
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
    • Close
  • Subscribe
  • Program guide
  • Watch Live

Brooklyn Park Salvation Army Damaged by Arson, Vandalism

5:05 PM | Friday, November 4, 2022

The sight of vandalized vehicles, shattered glass and the charred remains of a church pew greeted employees of Brooklyn Park’s Salvation Army early Friday morning.

“Our staff walked in this morning, we looked at each other and we all just broke down and cried,” said Capt. Josh Polanco, who leads the Brooklyn Park Salvation Army’s service center. “Because we know what it means to us, but more importantly, we know what this center means to Brooklyn Park.”

Brooklyn Park police say that shortly before 11 p.m. on Thursday, someone broke into the building, smashed a number of windows and intentionally started a fire in the sanctuary.

brooklyn park salvation army vandalism

A large rock used to shatter a window at the Brooklyn Park Salvation Army.

“The damage is extensive,” Polanco said. “I mean, just windows alone I’m thinking is probably over $100,000 worth of damage.”

Investigators say that thanks to the building’s sprinkler system, the fire damage was relatively minimal.

“There’s not much damage, which is great, but it hits a very charitable organization,” said Brooklyn Park Fire Marshal Dan Krier.

The service center was planning for a winter coat distribution for families in need, and some of those very coats were used to start the fire.

“It was intentional,” Polanco said. “Evil. Wanting to just destroy, and that’s what I don’t get.”

brooklyn park salvation army vandalism

Charred remains of a pew at the Brooklyn Park Salvation Army.

Champlin man arrested

Security cameras caught footage of a young man breaking into the building and setting the fire. Police arrested a Champlin man who they believe is responsible.

His motive remains unclear.

“We want him to get the help, obviously he needs it,” Polanco said. “And if there’s something we can do in the process, great. He has our prayers. I prayed for him last night.”

Meanwhile, the Salvation Army’s $12 million bell ringing campaign for the holiday season kicks off next week.

“It’s unfortunate that hundreds of thousands of dollars of that campaign is gonna be funneled back into this building to get it back up and going,” said Dan Jennings, divisional commander for the Salvation Army.

Salvation Army officials hope to have all services up and running next week. If people want to help, they’re asking for donations of coats, food and money.

brooklyn park salvation army vandalism

The Brooklyn Park Salvation Army is located at 10011 Noble Parkway.


Related: Salvation Army Food Pantry Sees Dramatic Increase, ‘There’s a definite need in Brooklyn Park’


Delane Cleveland, reporting

Brooklyn Park

Related Stories

Joy Bodin Named President of Hennepin Technical College:  Hennepin Technical College's interim… Read More
Champlin Park’s Cody Cramer Leads with ‘Steady, Calm’ Approach:  As the old saying goes,… Read More
Brooklyn Park Hair Salon, Customers Express Support for CROWN Act:  Legislation is on its way to… Read More
Helicopters Used for Deer Research Project at Elm Creek Park Reserve:  More than 4,900 acres of… Read More
Brooklyn Park’s Starlite Center COVID-19 Testing Site to Close Sunday:  The state of Minnesota… Read More
School Bus Strikes Child, Driver Leaves Scene:  Brooklyn Park police are investigating an incident in… Read More

Footer

NAVIGATE

  • CCX Media
  • NEWS
  • SPORTS
  • CITIES
  • CREATE
  • Job Opportunities
  • Meet the CCX Media Team
  • ABOUT CCX MEDIA
  • Annual Programming Reports
  • CABLE COMMISSION

SUBSCRIBE

Get email updates for daily story previews. “Week in Review” video links, and programming previews.

Subscribe Today

CONNECT

HAVE A NEWS TIP? CALL OUR TIPLINE AT:  763-533-1710
Send us story ideas and comments!
Get in touch with us
               
 NEWS   SPORTS
 SHOP/ORDER

LOCATION

CCX Media
6900 Winnetka Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

Main Phone:  763-533-8196

CCX Media serves the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, including Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.
Copyright © 2023 CCXMedia | All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement
Web Design and Development by CEL Marketing PR Design and BizzyWeb | Log in