Public's help sought after Carson schools tagged for third time

A Carson City school was marred by graffiti for the third time in two weeks Thursday night. In an effort to catch the taggers, the Carson City Sheriff's Department is seeking the public's help.

Mike Mitchell, director of operations for the Carson City School District, spent Friday covering scrawls and symbols painted on Carson Middle School overnight Thursday. Vandals also hit Bordewich-Bray Elementary School.

By Friday afternoon, the east facade of Carson Middle School was splattered with hastily applied white paint. Where letters once welcomed visitors to the front entrance of the school, now only a stark white square is visible.

After janitors at the school worked overtime last week to cover the graffiti from the first incident, the school was hit a second time Sunday evening.

After that graffiti was covered Thursday, vandals hit again Thursday night.

"We just got done painting (Thursday) from the graffiti on Sunday and they did it again. They are very on top of it," Mitchell said.

Deputy Wayne Gray said the sheriff's department has several leads, but is asking for help from the public.

"There are people out there who may know those involved. Any information they give us will remain totally confidential," Gray said. "These are the schools our kids go to and the places we drive by. We don't want to see that stuff on our buildings."

Because of the extensive damage caused by the graffiti, Gray said the department is also considering alternate charges that would increase the severity of the crime from a misdemeanor to a felony.

The school district has offered a $200 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators and Secret Witness has added an additional $500.

"We are not as interested in stopping them as in catching them," Mitchell said.

Carson Middle School was first hit March 19th in more than 100 locations including on three vehicles.

The first incident caused thousands of dollars in damage and prompted school officials to schedule the installation of surveillance cameras at the school. Mitchell said the school district is also considering installing outdoor lighting as a deterrent.

While several of the markings were indicative of a group that is against alcohol, sex and drugs, the sheriff's department believes several groups may be responsible for the incidents.

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.

You can help

Anyone with information about the recent vandalism of Carson Middle School and Bordewich-Bray Elementary School is urged to call Secret Witness at 322-4900. All information will be considered confidential.

Vandalism occurred the evenings of March 19, then again Sunday and Thursday.