SALEM — Police are investigating a report of graffiti at Salem High School, vandalism that conveyed a racist sentiment.
School staff found the words "white power" painted on a gymnasium floor near the wrestling area, according to police.
Superintendent William Cameron yesterday called the incident "profoundly stupid."
"We are working with the police," Cameron said. "We need to find out how somebody could get in there so we can prevent it from happening again."
The person or persons involved used a mop to paint the words across the floor, according to police.
The graffiti was painted sometime between 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and noon yesterday, according to Patrolman DeeJay Gagnon's report.
"The school is open during the daytime hours for two summer programs, and students do have access to that area of the school," Gagnon said in the report.
Police took photos of the graffiti and recovered three items for possible fingerprints, including a jug of white paint.
Police Sgt. Dennis King of the department's Community Impact Unit said police will be making every effort to find out who is responsible for the graffiti.
While graffiti in Salem is hardly a rare occurrence, messages with a racial overtone are, King said. Those incidents comprise about 1 percent of vandalism complaints in the city, he said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Community Impact Unit at 978-744-0171, ext. 265, for King, or ext. 218 for Sgt. Harry Rocheville.
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