Racially Tinged Petition at Gambrills School Not Criminal: Police

(Updated Jan. 8) GAMBRILLS, MD — An anti-African American petition that was shared by a few students at Arundel High School in Gambrills is "reprehensible" but not a crime, say authorities. The Anne Arundel County Police Department on Friday learned of the petition that it says contained racially charged, highly offensive language, and anti-African American sentiment.

School administrators identified the student responsible for the petition, titled "Kool Kids Klan," which asked their classmates to join in celebrating white supremacy. Two other students signed the petition. During the police investigation, detectives consulted with the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's office to determine if any criminal charge would apply to the incident.

"We all agreed that the petition and behaviors of the students were extremely disturbing and reprehensible, however their actions were found not to rise to the level of a criminal offense," police said in a statement.

The Board of Education will conduct its own investigation into the petition.

Superintendent George Arlotto denounced the racist petition in a letter sent to parents.

"I am shocked, dismayed and, quite frankly angered, that such a piece of material would be produced, much less appear in one of our schools, " Arlotto wrote. "It is unconscionable how anyone could believe that this material is anything but horrifying, and it has absolutely no place in our schools or our school system."

After finding out about this incident, Anne Arundel County Executive Steven R. Schuh said, "This kind of reprehensible behavior has no place in any school in Anne Arundel County. Our schools should be safe places that embrace diversity and reject racism."

State’s Attorney Wes Adams and Police Chief Timothy J. Altomare joined Superintendent George Arlotto in condemning the message of hate voiced in the petition.

“We believe in the cohesion of all communities in Anne Arundel County and we join with our minority community leaders in stating unequivocally that there is only one race, the human race,” Adams and Altomare said.

»Photo of Arundel High School from the Anne Arundel County Public Schools website