Swastikas daubed in bathroom in Indianapolis-area high school
Cops say graffiti drawn on mirrors and counter in Pike High School on two consecutive days does not constitute a hate crime
Anti-Semitic graffiti was discovered in a bathroom at a local high school near Indianapolis, Indiana, in the United States.
Swastikas were discovered drawn on mirrors and a counter in a boy’s bathroom at Pike High School on Thursday, the Indianapolis Star reported. A similar incident occurred the next day in a restroom.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the M.S.D. Pike Police are investigating, according to the newspaper.
The graffiti was removed immediately, the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township said in a post on Facebook.
Pike Township responds to swastikas found twice in one week in Pike High School bathroom https://t.co/2XN9fb5nfD pic.twitter.com/sG4A4W7r0n
— IndyStar (@indystar) September 29, 2018
“We are extremely concerned about this behavior and are treating it with all of the seriousness it warrants,” the post said. “We cannot state strongly enough that this behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Regardless of the motive, these deplorable actions are contrary to the values, beliefs, and behaviors of the overwhelming majority of our students at Pike High School.”
https://www.facebook.com/piketownshipschools/posts/1107818909392378
The district said it would work with the Jewish Community Center, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Jewish Community Relations Council “to provide additional opportunities for our students to learn about understanding differences, cultural sensitivity, and collective accountability.”
Police told district officials that they believe the incidents will be categorized as criminal mischief and not hate crimes, suggesting that they were perpetrated by students looking for attention.
The Times of Israel Community.