Police: 14 students responsible for damage, graffiti at Arlington HS

ARLINGTON, Mass. – More than a dozen students face discipline after allegedly breaking into and vandalizing Arlington High School.

Police were called to the school one morning before classes last week after damage to fire extinguishers, vending machines, display cases and emergency defibrillators was discovered. Spray painted graffiti including anti-gay slurs and a swastika were also found outside of the building.

“There were three pieces of hate graffiti outside the high school,” Naomi Greenfield from the Arlington Human Rights Commission said.

After an investigation, police identified 14 male students who are allegedly responsible.

"These actions represent a terrible breach of the peace and harmony we seek to instill as a welcoming, tolerant, and safe community. Whether these students intended to or not, their words and actions are hateful and hurtful, and we must respond appropriately,” Superintendent Kathleen Bodie said.

All 14 students are facing discipline from the school and the police investigation remains on-going.

"This is a serious situation, and it requires a holistic and deliberative approach to find the correct solution that addresses the wrong and repairs the breach to the community," Police Chief Frederick Ryan said. "This is an incident that has been taken seriously by our officers from the start."

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