Police Investigating Widespread Vandalism Targeting Schools, Parks
– Allison Goldsberry
Police are seeking those responsible for vandalizing several schools and parks with hateful graffiti, according to information released by Mayor Michael McGlynn’s office.
Police Chief Leo Sacco said swastikas and racial slurs were scrawled on the Curtis-Tufts School, the Columbus Elementary School, Columbus Park, Tufts Park, and on street signs along Willis Avenue and other streets. Tufts University was also vandalized with similar graffiti.
Chief Sacco (pictured speaking at right) believes the vandalism happened sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.
McGlynn, brandishing images taken of the graffiti, said the actions of a few will not diminish the spirit of Medford’s strong, diverse community.
“Today we again say with one voice that these hateful messages and symbols will not be tolerated in our community…in our home,” said Mayor McGlynn. “Today we again say with firm resolve, there is no room in the City of Medford for intolerance; Today, we again re-affirm our promise to our children that their home, the City of Medford, is a place of understanding and inclusion…a place of harmony and a place of peace.”
The graffiti has been covered up, and Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, who spoke at a city press conference on Monday, pledged the support of his graffiti-cleaning unit. Koutoujian and others who spoke at the press conference said the intolerant messages had no place in Medford.
Pastor John Page of the Shiloh Baptist Church said the “perpetrators” might not have understood the “significance of their actions,” and he hoped they saw the city’s press conference, which was attended by every major TV news station and newspaper and is available to watch on the city website.
“We hope that they hear this press conference, and they come to learn what their words and actions meant within this community. We also hope that those with courage would stand up and stand for justice and speak out against this sort of bigotry,” said Page.
Pastor Page was one of several clergy members, including Temple Shalom Rabbi Braham David, to attend the press conference and to speak.
The investigation into the incident is active and anyone with any information is asked to contact Medford Police.