Westfield Teen Charged In School Hate Graffiti Incident

WESTFIELD, NJ – After weeks of investigation into the hate-laden graffiti found at Edison Intermediate School, a 13-year-old male student has been charged with five counts of criminal mischief, according to Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro.

These charges are the result of an investigation into five separate incidents, in which various forms of hateful graffiti were depicted on the restroom walls in the school building, authorities said.

The criminal charges, which were approved by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Juvenile Unit, were the result of a joint investigation conducted by Detective Dennis DaSilva of the Westfield Police Department and school officials.

Battiloro reiterated the statements previously made by Mayor Shelley Brindle, the Westfield Town Council and the Board of Education.

“The Westfield Police Department takes incidents like these extremely seriously," Battiloro said. "They have absolutely no place in our schools or in our community and will not be tolerated.”

Related Stories:

• Swastika Found In Westfield Elementary School Bathroom
• Westfield BOE Addresses 'Unacceptable' Swastika Symbol
• Hate Graffiti Found In Westfield School Again
• Active Investigation Into Westfield Hate Graffiti Continues

Last Monday, the governing body and the Board of Education issued a joint statement condemning that acts and last Tuesday Mayor Shelley Brindle followed it up with a statement of her own.

"Yesterday, the Town Council and the Board of Education made a joint statement following a recent incident at Edison School. As residents and parents of children in the Westfield schools, we want to make it clear that we jointly condemn all acts of racism, anti-Semitism, bigotry and expressions of hatred targeting any minority group, religion, or ideology," Brindle said. "Unfortunately this recent incident is not an isolated event in our schools or even in nearby communities."

Indeed, in Scotch Plains graffiti was found outside of a school this fall and a series of similar defacement happened at Summit Middle School and Summit High School. Immediately following those incidents, however, officials throughout Summit reacted with their thoughts and participated in local rallies and events to promote tolerance.

The symbols drew swift and repeated condemnation from Summit Superintendent June Chang and Summit Mayor Nora Radest and Common Council President David Naidu spoke out about the incidents at a "No Home For Hate" rally at Temple Sinai's menorah lighting last Tuesday.

"These are not just words and symbols on a wall, they are attacks on fellow students, friends and neighbors," Radest said. "They are not abstract attacks. They are personal."

Related Stories:

• Swastikas Found In Summit Middle School
• Investigation Into Summit Schools Swastika Graffiti Continues
• Swastikas Found In Summit High School
• Summit Mayor: Fight Against Hate At Interfaith Menorah Lighting
• Summit Declares 'No Home For Hate' At Menorah Lighting
• 'Abhorrent Behavior' Will Not Continue In Summit Schools

The charges in Westfield stem from incidents occurred between Nov. 19 and Nov. 29, each of which was reported to the Westfield Police Department by school officials immediately upon its discovery.

The criminal charges have been referred to the Family Part of Union County Superior Court for adjudication, authorities said.

(Photo courtesy of Google Earth)

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