Teens Tied To AHS Vandalism Opt For Restorative Justice

ARLINGTON, MA – The 14 Arlington High School students linked to a break-in earlier this month have opted to participate in restorative justice instead of possible prosecution, according to YourArlington. Chief Frederick Ryan wrote in an email to the site that any teen who fails to complete the RJ process will be subject to "complaints for the relevant charges."

Ryan added that the process will take "many months to complete." It will take place in three parts:

• 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.

Property damage and graffiti was reported at Arlington High School around 5:40 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2. In addition to the hate graffiti, there was damage to fire extinguishers, vending machines, display cases and an emergency defibrillator, police and school officials said in an earlier statement.

Though police have tied 14 students to the break-in, school officials clarified the number believed to be involved in the hate graffiti. In an email to the Arlington High School community last week, Principal Matthew Janger wrote that homophobic slurs on the wall and pavement and a swastika on a garbage can was "the act of only a few students and took place separately from the larger group."

"The damage was also limited to a smaller number of students," he continued. "This does not minimize the hurtfulness of the language or the shared responsibility for the damage and impact, but it does correct the impression that the hate-speech was the work of a large group of students."

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch