Vol. 49, Issue 4, 24 pages
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Every single instance of graffiti can be added together once we identify the person, and it’s kind of like a criminal count.” Rob Coppo
TPHS PRINCIPAL
gripes with graffiti PHOTO BY ANNA OPALSKY/FALCONER REPEATED RENDERINGS: A Falcon adorns a wall near room 103 on campus — an example of purposeful graffiti on campus. Vandalism and graffiti, including a series of repeated symbols found this month in different boys’ bathrooms around campus, are often found drawn on TPHS facilities, prompting wall cleanings, image cataloging, and other administrative action.
Repeated graffiti symbol seen in several restrooms Sarina Feng
STAFF WRITER
Two drawings of an unrecognized, unique symbol were found in different boys’ bathrooms on campus this month, according to TPHS Assistant Principal Robert Shockney. This was “the first thing back on the wall” since TPHS bathrooms were repainted over winter break, Shockney said. “We do see [repeated images] on occasion, but I wouldn’t call it normal,” TPHS Principal Rob Coppo said. Administration asked staff to report if other similar markings were found around campus or on paper. Vandalism and graffiti have proved recurring issues on campus, with bathrooms intermittently being closed for cleaning through the past few years. This year, in an effort to decrease the number of students in bathrooms during
class, TPHS implemented new sign-out and hallway pass policies, limiting the number of students allowed out at a time to one per class. Despite the recent incident, these new measures have seen success, as graffiti and vandalism have declined this year, according to Coppo. “I think knowing that we can trace when somebody was in the restroom and talk to them has helped resolve or lessen some of the graffiti,” Coppo said. With the new images found, the administrative team is adhering to standard procedures for handling graffiti incidents on campus, which includes cataloging photos of the symbol, according to Coppo. “Every single instance of graffiti can be added together once we identify the person, and it’s kind of like a criminal count,” Coppo said. This “count” allows for restitutions, where students can be charged for each instance as compensation for factors
such as extra time and materials expended by custodians. Administration also takes action to cross-reference new incidents with old photos to find possible matches, according to TPHS campus supervisor Marshall Saunders. In addition to photographing and cataloging, the graffiti procedure used on the recent symbols involved cleaning the graffiti by “grinding up the wall and painting over it,” according to Shockney. Disciplinary action for campus vandalism involving graffiti varies by case, but could involve consequences such as detention or suspension, according to Shockney.
“If [the graffiti] is gang-related, that’s illegal, so we have to intervene immediately and call law enforcement,” Coppo said. Most graffiti on campus is found in the B Building exterior and interior bathrooms and occurs during class periods, when students are “roaming,” according to Saunders. While students visiting the restroom may now see fresh walls, in the past, stalls have been covered in scribbles and doodles — from inspirational quotes to obscenities. “It’s not a good way of expressing one’s thoughts and opinions,” Jack continued on A2
Graffiti has been an issue on campus for many years. Recently, a repeated symbol was seen in boys’ restrooms. The Falconer examined multiple approaches that are being implemented to curb vandalism.