By Max Bloch
When a WHS weekend maintenance worker showed up at the school last Sunday, he was surprised to find numerous amounts of graffiti around the rear exterior of the building. The tagging took place sometime between midnight on Sunday, March 18 and about 2 a.m. Later that day, when the worker arrived, he called police. Similar tags were reported throughout the Bay State Commons around that same time. The spots hit include Roche Brothers, Boston Sports Club, and the former Linen-n-things building.
An expert in deciphering gang signs and graffiti tags can be called in to analyze the vandalism. However, the police department, through paint analysis, reoccurring themes, and the handwriting, determined that the same person had most likely tagged all locations.
School Liaison Officer Chip Dapolite says the police department has received several good leads and names of potential suspects. While he would not comment specifically, he did say that the surveillance cameras placed around the school were of help throughout the investigation.
Officer Dapolite made it clear that these violations are very serious, and are considered a felony. However, he mentions that the Westborough Police Department has sole discretion of the charges that may be pressed, depending on the cooperation by the offenders. Separate from the police department, Westborough High School has the ability to penalize the offenders with school punishment.
“The destructive behavior of the graffiti impacts how this school is perceived throughout the community,” Dapolite mentions. His word of advice to the wrongdoer(s) is to simply tell the truth. He reiterates that the police department has full discretion on possible charges brought up by this case. He urges the offender(s) to take responsibility for their actions, before police are forced to continue their investigation. He notes that while the police have gained sufficient evidence pertaining to the identity of the offender(s), it is still preferably that they come forth and tell the truth. In regards to rumors floating around the High School, Dapolite clearly states that they hold zero value to the police department’s investigation.
With just a handful of weeks remaining in the school year, Officer Dapolite advises that anyone who may be plotting pranks remember the boundaries. He pushes forth this message. “It is always important to take pride in your school as well as yourself”.
WHS Student • Mar 28, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Great story from a great kid. Hope the vandal is caught soon.