(KRON) — Antisemitic and racist graffiti was found on the campus of a middle school in Pleasant Hill, KRON4 has learned. Last week, the campus of Pleasant Hill Middle School was defaced with graffiti that included swastikas and derogatory racial language, including the “n-word,” according to Mt. Diablo Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark.
“This act of vandalism involved the defacement of our school grounds with antisemitic symbols (swastikas) and derogatory racial language,” said Clark. “We are taking these actions with the utmost seriousness and have promptly reached out to the Pleasant Hill Police Department to assist in this matter.”
According to Pleasant Hill PD, approximately five male juveniles walked onto the campus around 1:30 a.m. on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 21. The juveniles, police said, used their fingers to draw the swastikas on several school windows after fogging them with their breath.
They also drew swastikas on the infield dirt of the baseball and softball fields. Approximately eight swastikas were found. No permanent property damage was found.
Police are investigating it as a hate incident. The investigation is ongoing, according to police.
“The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our foremost concern,” Clark said, “and we unequivocally condemn any form of prejudice, bigotry, or hate.”
Campuses in the Mt. Diablo USD are currently closed for winter break with no students on-site. However, the district urges “community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities” on school premises to Pleasant Hill PD.
The incident at Pleasant Hill Middle School follows a similar incident last week on the campus of a junior high school in Los Altos.