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Crime & Safety

Vandalism of Calimesa Middle School Leads to Hate Crime Investigation

"Racial slurs and symbols" were spray painted on two walls of the school, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Mesa View Middle School in Calimesa was vandalized with "racial slurs and symbols," according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. 

Deputies assigned to the Calimesa Police Department respond to a report of vandalism at the school at 8 a.m. Monday. They discovered that suspects entered school grounds over night and spray painted graffiti on two walls.

Investigators are examining video surveillance footage in the hopes of getting suspect leads.

The crime is being investigated as a hate crime.

"The Calimesa Police Department is dedicated to the investigation and enforcement of any and 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," the department said in a statement.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Riverside County Sheriff's Department at 951-922-7100 or 951-776-1099 after business hours.

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