AHS Vandalism Suspects Have Option Of Avoiding Prosecution

ARLINGTON, MA – The 14 Arlington High School students believed to be responsible for an incident of vandalism and hate speech at the school will have the option to forgo criminal prosecution if they participate in a restorative justice program, town and police officials said Monday.

Property damage and graffiti was reported at the school around 5:40 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2.

"Several fire extinguishers had been used and damaged, and there was damage to vending machines, display cases, and an emergency defibrillator inside the school," Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan and Superintendent Kathleen Bodie said in a joint statement earlier this month. "Spray paint was also used inside and outside of the school. A swastika and anti-gay slurs were painted outside of the building."

Fourteen teenage boys were identified in connection with the incident. After speaking with community organizations such as the Human Rights Commission, the LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission and the Anti-Defamation League, police reached out to the 14 students and their families and offered the option of restorative justice, police said in a statement Monday.

The process has three phases:

• Victims of crime are given the opportunity to address those who have harmed them, to ask questions in a safe environment, and to share ideas on ways that the harm can be repaired.
• Offenders better understand the impact of their actions, are held accountable, make financial restitution and encouraged to make amends to those they have harmed.
• The community offers support for the process, strengthening community connections, and engaging in matters of concern to its members.

Through this program, the students will work directly with members of the school community, Jewish community and LGBTQIA+ community, police said.

Those who do not participate will have their case prosecuted and face the possibility of having a criminal record, according to police. The students will also face discipline from the Arlington Public Schools, which could include suspension and exclusion from senior and school events.

"We recognize that it is faster and easier to arrest and prosecute these individuals rather than go through the restorative justice process, which requires more of a commitment from the offender," town officials said in a joint statement Monday. "However, we believe that this proposed solution will bring everyone into the same room and provide opportunities for long-term growth, education, healing, and a repair of this breach in our community."

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