MUSKEGON, Mich.-Thanks to security camera video, the Oakridge School District and the Muskegon County Sheriff's Department know they are looking for two individuals who vandalized Lower Elementary School sometime between 12:15 a.m. and 1 a.m. Monday.
At least 33 profane and vulgar phrases were spray painted on the external surface of the building, on the sidewalk, on the school sign and the "Castle" playground. The vandals are described as two "slim" individuals wearing hoodies with their faces covered.
Amongst the messages spray painted around the school was a reference to a "bomb" and the question, "Who's protecting you now?" requiring the school district to make sure it was safe to open for the day.
"We did take that very seriously, we called the authorities immediately, they were on site prior to school starting, the officer met with our staff to share that they found no threat to safety or credible evidence and did give us the okay to occupy the building," said Superintendent Tom Livezey.
Several parents chose to take their kids out of school for the day once it was determined they wouldn't be allowed outside at recess, due to the obscene words.
The Superintendent, visibly upset with the vulgarity damaging his school, promised to not go easy on the vandals.
"This community is a very strong community that really cares about the kids and our facilities and we`re going to find the person who did this and prosecute under the fullest extent of the law. This community generously just approved a bond in 2010 to build that beautiful facility and its just a shame that somebody who's a coward put out this kind of statements, particularly to our youngest impressionable kids," said Liveley.
A neighbor who lives right across the street from the school also had her vehicle damaged inside her garage sometime late Sunday or early Monday, although it's not yet known if the two are connected.
If you know anything, you should contact the Muskegon County Sheriff's Department or the Oakridge School District.
