Surveillance footage has revealed the suspect wanted for vandalizing Roxborough High School with racist and antisemitic graffiti. The images show a man approaching the school on Sunday morning, wearing a grey hooded jacket, pants, and carrying a backpack. His face was covered by an orange scarf as he walked towards Pechin Street at 5:25 am.
The footage captures the suspect's movements from Fountain Street to Ridge Avenue, where he was last seen heading in that direction. The vandalism included swastikas and derogatory racial slurs, which were removed shortly after the incident was reported to the police.
Roxborough High School Principal Kristin Williams Smalley has condemned the hate speech, urging parents to have conversations with their children about the seriousness of such behavior. She emphasized that the school community is diverse and proud of its inclusivity.
Meanwhile, a message of welcome was conveyed by students returning to class on Monday. Community members also used chalk to write inclusive messages on the school's sidewalks, showcasing unity and solidarity in the face of hate.
Police are urging anyone with information about the suspect to come forward and report it to the Northwest Detective Division at (215) 686-3353. Anonymous tips can be made online or by texting 773847.
The footage captures the suspect's movements from Fountain Street to Ridge Avenue, where he was last seen heading in that direction. The vandalism included swastikas and derogatory racial slurs, which were removed shortly after the incident was reported to the police.
Roxborough High School Principal Kristin Williams Smalley has condemned the hate speech, urging parents to have conversations with their children about the seriousness of such behavior. She emphasized that the school community is diverse and proud of its inclusivity.
Meanwhile, a message of welcome was conveyed by students returning to class on Monday. Community members also used chalk to write inclusive messages on the school's sidewalks, showcasing unity and solidarity in the face of hate.
Police are urging anyone with information about the suspect to come forward and report it to the Northwest Detective Division at (215) 686-3353. Anonymous tips can be made online or by texting 773847.
... I mean, I know we've been here before, but it feels like every time something like this happens, we're right back at square one. Like, what's the point of even trying to have "conversations" with our kids about hate speech if they're still gonna find ways to spew it around? 
I get that schools are places for learning, not just indoctrination... but still, can't we just try to be a little more nuanced about this stuff?
And I love that the community came together with chalk messages on the sidewalk. That's some real hope for change, even if it's just a tiny step in the right direction.
Can't we find ways to teach our kids about empathy and understanding instead of just trying to squish the hate away? I don't know, man... maybe I'm just too old for my own good 
.
. the principal's response is on point tho, parents gotta be havin conversations w/ their kiddos about this kinda stuff ASAP. and btw, can we pls get some actual consequences for ppl who do this kind of hate speech? 
... chalk messages on the sidewalk? That's just so sweet 
. If you have any info about the suspect, please DM me or something 
.
Still, gotta commend the principal for speaking up. Maybe someone should teach the suspect a thing or two about empathy... 
. And the fact that he wore an orange scarf to hide his face? That just shows how cowardly he is 
. But you know what's even more inspiring? The students and community members coming together to show support and inclusivity 
. They're like, "No way, hate speech isn't welcome here!" And I'm all about it 
. So let's just keep spreading love and positivity, okay? 
. Can't we just talk about something other than this latest hate crime for once? 
The thing is, the footage shows our guy wearing an orange scarf - what's with that? Trying to hide his identity or make it harder to identify him? 
