HomeMy WebLinkAboutResponse to graffiti
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications & Technology Services Director
Phone 952-833-9520 • Fax 952-826-0389 • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edina Mayor speaks out about school vandalism
Edina, Minn., Aug. 30, 2013 – Edina Mayor Jim Hovland is speaking out about the recent vandalism of
South View Middle School.
Graffiti was spray painted on three sides of the school in the early morning hours of Sunday, Aug. 11. The
graffiti included derogatory and swear words directed at school district administration and staff. The graffiti
was cleaned off the school by the end of the day Aug. 11.
School Liaison Officer Aaron White and other members of the Edina Police Department worked quickly on
the damage-to-property case and closed their investigation within about a week. The case is awaiting
complaint with Hennepin County; the City expects three juveniles to be charged by the County Attorney’s
Office.
“Edina prides itself on being an inclusive community for all who live, work or visit. Community reaction to
this incident has been shock, disappointment and concern because of the hateful messages spray-painted on
the school by the three juveniles,” Hovland said. “We will not accept behavior like this that is abusive,
intolerant, insensitive or contrary to law.”
Hovland said he will ask City departments and the Human Rights & Relations Commission to work closely
together to discourage these sorts of incidents, since defaming another person is unacceptable.
For more information on the incident, contact the Edina Police Department, 952-826-1610. For more
information on the City’s Human Rights & Relations Commission, visit www.EdinaMN.gov/HRRC or contact
staff liaison Lisa Schaefer, 952-826-0416.
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