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Racially charged vandalism found in the bathrooms of Grant Towers North
Racially charged vandalism was recently discovered in Grant Towers North.
According to police reports on Sept. 4, 7 and 16, graffiti containing racial remarks was found in Grant North bathrooms. No one has been charged, and an investigation is still being conducted by University Police.
Building service custodians removed the vandalism from the bathrooms.
Custodial shifts take place throughout the day from 4 a.m. to midnight. The staff reports any vandalism that is found.
“It doesn’t matter if [the vandalism is] inappropriate, they take it off,” said Brian Hart, assistant superintendent of Building Services. “We just get rid of it. Cleanliness is the number-one thing.”
Vandalism can occur inside and outside of academic buildings and on other buildings on campus, Hart said. A solvent base chemical is used to clean the graffiti, and enamel paint is used to clean the outside wall of a building.
Students prosecuted are charged through the criminal courts of the University Judicial system and also charged with criminal damage.
Vandalism upon school, state or government property is considered a felony, said Lt. Todd Henert of the UP.
“Writing on state or government property costs money to clean it or replace it,” Henert said. “This is designed for people using pen or paint on other people’s property.”
A student vandalizing educational or religious property can be charged with institutional vandalism, Henert said. A hate crime occurs if an individual commits vandalism targeting a certain race, nationality or origin.
“It’s completely unacceptable,” Henert said of the hate speech. “It makes the crime worse.”
» Next Campus Article: University Police blotter: Tues., Sept. 25
This story would have been better if it would have reported whether it was men's or women's bathrooms.