Schools
South Lakes, Herndon Principals Respond to Graffiti Spree
School leaders are working with law enforcement to catch whomever defaced the schools.
By Karen Goff
South Lakes High School Principal Kim Retzer and Herndon High School Principal William Bates told students Tuesday that recent incidents of graffiti painted at both schools "were not just innocent pranks."
The administrators say they are working with law enforcement to find the perpetrators and hold them accountable.
Last week, both schools were subject to obscenities painted on buildings, pavement, and at South Lakes, on the new turf fields.
READ: Herndon High and South Lakes: Graffiti Battle, or Graffiti Victims?
It is not yet clear whether one perpetrator hit both schools, or if one school was defaced and then the other was defaced in retaliation.
"The individuals committing these crimes do not represent our schools or the rich competitive tradition we have between our students, staffs, and communities," the principals said in a joint e-mail to the school communities. "They are instead using our schools’ names in the most cowardly manner possible."
Here is the full text of the principals' statement:
Criminal vandalism has occurred in recent days at both South Lakes High School and Herndon High School.
These were not just innocent pranks. Graffiti was spray-painted on buildings and new turf fields, causing extensive damage and requiring an expensive clean-up.
As discouraging and disappointing as these acts are, they in no way will dampen the enthusiasm and sense of anticipation our staffs and students feel as we begin a new school year. The individuals committing these crimes do not represent our schools or the rich competitive tradition we have between our students, staffs, and communities. They are instead using our schools’ names in the most cowardly manner possible.
We are working closely with law enforcement to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, by e-mail at http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, or by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637, or by calling Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
Did you see the graffiti at Herndon High? Tell us in the comments below.
South Lakes High School Principal Kim Retzer and Herndon High School Principal William Bates told students Tuesday that recent incidents of graffiti painted at both schools "were not just innocent pranks."
The administrators say they are working with law enforcement to find the perpetrators and hold them accountable.
Last week, both schools were subject to obscenities painted on buildings, pavement, and at South Lakes, on the new turf fields.
READ: Herndon High and South Lakes: Graffiti Battle, or Graffiti Victims?
It is not yet clear whether one perpetrator hit both schools, or if one school was defaced and then the other was defaced in retaliation.
"The individuals committing these crimes do not represent our schools or the rich competitive tradition we have between our students, staffs, and communities," the principals said in a joint e-mail to the school communities. "They are instead using our schools’ names in the most cowardly manner possible."
Here is the full text of the principals' statement:
Criminal vandalism has occurred in recent days at both South Lakes High School and Herndon High School.
These were not just innocent pranks. Graffiti was spray-painted on buildings and new turf fields, causing extensive damage and requiring an expensive clean-up.
As discouraging and disappointing as these acts are, they in no way will dampen the enthusiasm and sense of anticipation our staffs and students feel as we begin a new school year. The individuals committing these crimes do not represent our schools or the rich competitive tradition we have between our students, staffs, and communities. They are instead using our schools’ names in the most cowardly manner possible.
We are working closely with law enforcement to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, by e-mail at http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, or by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637, or by calling Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
Did you see the graffiti at Herndon High? Tell us in the comments below.
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