NPHS vandalized with hate speech
On Feb. 27 at around 8 p.m., NPHS was vandalized with derogatory slurs, profanity and swastikas.
The case has been handed over to the Major Crimes Unit of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and detectives are currently studying security camera footage with various databases to identify the suspects. The perpetrators will likely be charged with vandalism and face punishment according to the cost of property damage.
Deputy Jamie Reyes, school resource officer, has worked closely with NPHS since the incident was reported. “We’re in constant communication,” Reyes said. She explained the importance of taking the report seriously. “[We are] doing a full investigation to make sure everybody feels safe and included,” Reyes said.
Stephen Lepire, principal, did not release an official statement regarding the occurrence but commented on the situation in the weekly newsletter emailed to NPHS students and families on March 2. “Cowards spray-painted a variety of symbols, disparaging comments about staff members and wrote other hateful and mean words and phrases on our campus,” Lepire wrote.
To prevent a similar occurrence, Lepire and NPHS staff have spread out the custodial night staff’s breaks and put the lead custodian in charge of reporting suspicion while there is no administration available. They also improved lighting on campus and plan to hire security guards during events overnight such as Grad Night and Graduation Week.
Lepire and Reyes encourage students to contact them with any information they may have on the topic to help progress the investigation. Students may also submit a WeTip if they prefer anonymity. This platform is available through their CVUSD Classlink or on the NPHS website.
Brandon Janes, English teacher, was on campus at the time of the incident. He recalled noticing the smell of spray paint coming through his classroom window and opening the door to see the shadows of two people. “The second my door opened, they both obviously knew that what they were doing was wrong [because] they both started running away like they were scared,” Janes said.
The graffiti was focused on the quad floor and marked the administration’s office and classroom doors. The vandalism included swastikas and phallic drawings and it called out specific staff’s names. Faint remains of the red graffiti are still visible in the quad. Janes suspected the vandals were likely NPHS students. “I felt threatened as a teacher,” Janes said.
Newbury Park community members are trying their best to make up for the occurrence of hateful vandalism by focusing on safety and communication. “It’s an ongoing investigation and we’re working as diligently as we can get our information,” Reyes said.
