Racial Slurs, Hate Group Symbols at Middle School and Park in Calimesa

Racial slurs, hate group symbols and more graffiti "with hate crime overtones" were discovered Wednesday morning spray-painted on several walls, doors and windows at Mesa View Middle School and at Creekside Park in Calimesa, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department reported.

Deputies assigned to Calimesa responded about 6:40 a.m. Nov. 21 to Mesa View Middle at 800 Mustang Way for reported vandalism, Sgt. Anthony Williams of the sheriff's Cabazon Station said.

"The investigation revealed suspects entered the school grounds during the early morning hours and used spray paint to graffiti several walls, doors and windows with racial slurs and hate group symbols," Williams said in a statement.

The investigation also led deputies to another scene of vandalism at Creekside Park, in the 900 block of 7th Place.

"The park also was vandalized with spray painted graffiti with hate crime overtones," Williams said.

Investigators examined evidence left at both scenes, and looked at video surveillance footage for suspect leads, Williams said.

"The Calimesa Police Department encourages parents to pay close attention to indicators that their child may be involved in criminal acts of vandalism," Williams said.

Calimesa police are part of the Sheriff's Department.

"Common indicators include paint stains on their child's fingers, angular colorful black writings on their children's walls, notebooks, or posters, generally accompanied by nicknames," Williams said. "Other indicators include unexplained permanent markers, assorted spray can tip nozzles, or carbide metal tipped items commonly used to scratch glass and metal surfaces."

Calimesa police and the Sheriff's Department are dedicated to the investigation and enforcement of all reported incidents of violence or threats directed at an individual, institution or business, motivated all or in part by race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation, Williams said.

Williams urged anyone who witnesses a graffiti act in progress to call 911 for in-progress acts - and he reminded witnesses not to confront the suspect or suspects.

Anyone with more information about the racial slurs and hate group symbols at Mesa View Middle School and Creekside Park was urged to call the Riverside County Sheriff's Department at (951) 922-7100 or (951) 776-1099 after regular business hours.

To report past acts of graffiti vandalisms call the Riverside County dispatch non-emergency number (951) 776-1099.

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