Elementary school 90% covered in hate graffiti
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Friday, July 31, 2009.
By DAISY RATZLAFF
Valley Press Staff Writers
PALMDALE – Racial and ethnic slugs, profanity and the phrase “white pride” were spray-painted in black letters on doors, walls and windows at Wildflower Elementary School in an apparent hate crime, sheriff’s officials said.
Graffiti was found on 90% of the walls of the school’s main building and of classroom bungalows when custodians arrived early Thursday at the campus on 35th Street East north of Avenue R, sheriff’s deputies said.
“I first saw the graffiti on the doors and then I saw the rest,” said custodian Roger Brown, who added he found the damage hard to believe. “I was like, ‘Holy moly.’ ”
Added Jesse Brunell, who works with Brown: “We are just blessed that they didn’t get the front of the school. I guess we can be thankful for that.”
Deputies believe the vandals entered the campus, which is closed for summer vacation, either from a dirt field off Avenue R or off 35th Street East overnight. Based on the lettering, deputies said they believe the vandalism was the work of more than one person.
“My belief is they are students or were students at this school,” Deputy David Clark said. “The good thing is there weren’t any students here who would see this. Obviously with this being an elementary school, they would be going around asking mom and dad and other people what is this, and then they find out, they will be scared.”
Clark added that one racial slur was directed toward a teacher by name, making it very personal.
“I believe her door is the first one that has a swastika on it,” he said. “Most of the graffiti that is done by gangs or by graffiti crews are done because they want to claim territory and marking their areas. What makes this different is this is graffiti solely based on intimidation of other races and ethnic groups and a particular staff member that works here. From the looks of it, they are not only trying to intimidate the racial group, but also her.”
A cleaning company employed by the city quickly arrived to paint over the walls and clean the doors and windows.
Palmdale School District superintendent Roger Gallizzi said the damage was bad.
“I went over there personally and visited it; it’s probably 90% of the school,” Gallizzi said.
Gallizzi said the teacher who was singled out was notified of the vandalism and is cooperating with deputies in the investigation.
The superintendent said he also notified the Antelope Valley Human Relations Commission, which investigates hate crimes.
Although he could not immediately put a monetary estimate on the damage, Gallizzi said ultimately virtually every wall, door and exterior surface will have to be repainted.
“It makes it a major felony because of the cost involved,” he said.
“This is not money that we can afford, so it’s very upsetting.”
Gallizzi said he contacted the city and Neighborhood Watch people to schedule a meeting in the area.
“This is just so tragic that this kind of hate goes on in the Antelope Valley,” he said.
More than a half a dozen deputies, including Palmdale’s graffiti investigator, Detective Greg Bruner, walked around the campus early Thursday morning and took notes.
Deputies also searched the rooftop of the main building and behind the bungalows in hopes of finding spray cans or other evidence.
“We are working with the school and the district, and everything is still being investigated,” Clark said.
Valley Press staff writer Julie Drake contributed to this story.
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