Police Amp up Security at High School After Vandalism

The vandalism included obscene graffiti on the marquee and a swastika on the football field

San Diego police officers stepped up patrols at Rancho Bernardo High School (RBHS) Friday after offensive graffiti was discovered on campus and on the football field.

RBHS’s homecoming game against Del Norte High School Friday night came with police officers patrolling the entrance of the football stadium due to vandalism discovered on campus earlier in the day.

According to students, parents and faculty at the high school, fresh graffiti was found on campus Friday morning prior to the homecoming game. The graffiti included obscene messages on the school marquee and sidewalks, and a large swastika drawn on the football field.

Senior Kristian Tristan said he first noticed the graffiti between classes in the morning.

“[I saw] security guards here [and wondered] ‘What’s he doing?’ Then we see our custodian, Mel, just scrubbing away on the ground and we’re like, ‘Oh no, what happened?’” said Tristan. “It was right in front of my classroom too, and I had to look at it all day.”

Some students snapped photos to document the vandalism.

Sophomore Jules Rudkin said she was most surprised by the swastikas seen on campus.

“We saw swastikas on poster boards,” said Rudkin.

Since much of the mystery graffiti was signed with the initials “DN,” many students believe the culprits were from Del Norte High School – their homecoming opponent.

Del Norte parent Colleen Brower said she doesn’t think that’s the case at all.

“Our kids at Del Norte have such great spirit; I just can’t imagine anyone doing that,” said Brower.

The principal at RBHS sent out an email Friday regarding the graffiti incident.

It read, in part:

“At this time, we have no information about who was involved – if they were students or adults, or if it was caused by students from another school.”

According to the principal’s email, the school is offering a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest.
 

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