Graffiti at Las Lomas Continues to Be a Problem

M. Lin

Graffiti and vandalism have always been lingering problems among most schools, including Las Lomas. While some incidents are significantly worse than others, graffiti of any kind remains illegal -- from (relatively) innocent graffiti like carving “420” onto a pipe behind the locker room to spray painting swastikas all over a wall. The most infamous of these are the racial/religiously offensive slurs occasionally written in bathrooms.

On September 11, the phrase “Death to Islam” was found scribbled in the boys bathroom. Associate Principal David Granzotto investigated the incident and concluded that it was a single student. “Every student I’ve talked to about it has condemned it unequivocally.”

While Las Lomas has never been closed down due to vandalism, it has suffered multiple severe cases of graffiti. Last year, extremely offensive messages were found in boys bathrooms in different wings throughout the year. Some students were angered because these vandals were never caught most of the time; some argued that the ones who were caught were punished lightly, including a student suspected of writing bomb threats who was only temporarily suspended rather than expelled.

Individuals who vandalize school property and are caught often face severe punishments. While usually met with suspension/expulsion, some consequences can be much worse. In August of 2017, five teenage boys between the ages of 14-16 were arrested in connection to vandalism on Roosevelt schools. Among this graffiti was gang related symbols and racial slurs, and after reviewing records it was confirmed this wasn’t the first time these teenagers had committed vandalism. While some argue that arrest is too harsh, others argued that the decided punishment was fair, stating that it’s important for these kids to understand that what may just seem like a thrill-seeker’s game is no joke. Yet despite such harsh punishments, graffiti remains widespread in schools and beyond.