Vandalism Paints Poor Picture of Campus Property
Recent acts of graffiti have caused concerns over school cleanliness.
By Kyle McLaren
Recent acts of graffiti have caused concerns over school cleanliness.
By Kyle McLaren
On Feb 6, Pioneer’s sign was defaced with gang-related symbols and classrooms such as room 360 and 361 were vandalized as well.
This was just the latest in a series of vandalism acts that have disrupted school and forced the district to pay to repair and clean the campus. During last year’s “senior prank,” on May 25, groups of students damaged classrooms, spread food and other substances on doors and walkways, and threw objects in the pool, rendering it unusable.
This semester, the drama department’s regular 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. rehearsal schedule has been affected because of similar acts when bathrooms were vandalized.
“We’ve been forced to end early and it just doesn’t make for a great environment,” said Jake Schweizer, 10.
Vandalism during drama rehearsals became severe enough that a lockdown had to take place.
Other drama students have not only experienced lockdowns, but even had their own property vandalized, like Katie Nyugen, 11, who had the hood of her car sprayed with green paint on Feb 5.
“I was just worried that I wouldn’t be able to get the spray paint off my car and it would permanently be there. It’s kinda scary, there's just random people on campus on bikes, it’s kinda scary going to the bathroom,” said Katie Nyugen, 11 “The rehearsal ended kind of abruptly and everyone was kind of shocked”
With students having their own possessions tainted, it’s clear that people’s property isn't treated with care. History teacher Darlene Dueck feels that level of disrespect is what causes vandalism to continue.
“When choices are actually crossing the line, and affecting other people’s property, that reflects on character. That’s a life lesson that some people still need to learn,” said Dueck.
There are some factors that could play a role in students making a major decision like this. Junior Miranda Prijatel feels that humor could give students motivation to vandalize their campus.
“People think it’s funny, or fall under peer pressure,” said Prijatel.
Wanting to be funny isn’t necessarily the only thing that would cause someone to commit these actions. Maddy McLaren, 9, feels humor wasn’t the main contributor, and that students aren’t always trying to do something funny.
“I’m not sure why people vandalize schools, maybe because they’re bored,” said McLaren.
When it comes to managing vandalism, there is a current measure in place that could possibly resolve it.
“We use surveillance cameras and the campus is monitored regularly by Pioneer staff and central office surveillance,” said Principal Brad Craycroft.
While there are forms of surveillance, English teacher Alan Tracey would ideally like to have some sort of physical supervision walking around as opposed to just security cameras,
“I definitely think for senior pranks, we could do more if we want to prevent them. If we had somebody physically here at all times, I think that they would not happen,” said Tracey.
If concerns continue to arise, the safety of students and the state of their campus will be managed prioritized by administrators,
“The safety, and well-being of our students and our campus is our first priority,” said Craycroft.
This was just the latest in a series of vandalism acts that have disrupted school and forced the district to pay to repair and clean the campus. During last year’s “senior prank,” on May 25, groups of students damaged classrooms, spread food and other substances on doors and walkways, and threw objects in the pool, rendering it unusable.
This semester, the drama department’s regular 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. rehearsal schedule has been affected because of similar acts when bathrooms were vandalized.
“We’ve been forced to end early and it just doesn’t make for a great environment,” said Jake Schweizer, 10.
Vandalism during drama rehearsals became severe enough that a lockdown had to take place.
Other drama students have not only experienced lockdowns, but even had their own property vandalized, like Katie Nyugen, 11, who had the hood of her car sprayed with green paint on Feb 5.
“I was just worried that I wouldn’t be able to get the spray paint off my car and it would permanently be there. It’s kinda scary, there's just random people on campus on bikes, it’s kinda scary going to the bathroom,” said Katie Nyugen, 11 “The rehearsal ended kind of abruptly and everyone was kind of shocked”
With students having their own possessions tainted, it’s clear that people’s property isn't treated with care. History teacher Darlene Dueck feels that level of disrespect is what causes vandalism to continue.
“When choices are actually crossing the line, and affecting other people’s property, that reflects on character. That’s a life lesson that some people still need to learn,” said Dueck.
There are some factors that could play a role in students making a major decision like this. Junior Miranda Prijatel feels that humor could give students motivation to vandalize their campus.
“People think it’s funny, or fall under peer pressure,” said Prijatel.
Wanting to be funny isn’t necessarily the only thing that would cause someone to commit these actions. Maddy McLaren, 9, feels humor wasn’t the main contributor, and that students aren’t always trying to do something funny.
“I’m not sure why people vandalize schools, maybe because they’re bored,” said McLaren.
When it comes to managing vandalism, there is a current measure in place that could possibly resolve it.
“We use surveillance cameras and the campus is monitored regularly by Pioneer staff and central office surveillance,” said Principal Brad Craycroft.
While there are forms of surveillance, English teacher Alan Tracey would ideally like to have some sort of physical supervision walking around as opposed to just security cameras,
“I definitely think for senior pranks, we could do more if we want to prevent them. If we had somebody physically here at all times, I think that they would not happen,” said Tracey.
If concerns continue to arise, the safety of students and the state of their campus will be managed prioritized by administrators,
“The safety, and well-being of our students and our campus is our first priority,” said Craycroft.