Newark – Over the Memorial Day Weekend, while most of Newark was honoring America’s fallen heroes, someone decided that defacing John R. Downes Elementary School with offensive graffiti was a good idea.
Parents and children visiting the playground over the weekend were met with the “N” word and other offensive language spray painted on the back of the building near the playground. Early attempts to remove the paint didn’t work well but on Monday crews with pressure washers were able to remove the graffiti, leaving no trace of the offensive artistry.
No word if Newark Police are investigating this case but if caught the vandal(s) could face felony or misdemeanor charges depending on the price tag. Delaware defines graffiti as intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly drawing, painting, etching, or making marks on any public or private property without the permission of the owner.
If the damage done is valued at more than $1,500 the vandal(s) could face a Class G felony punishable by up to 2 years in prison.
Otherwise the charge is a Class A misdemeanor which carries a potential one year jail sentence and $2,300 in fines.
All graffiti charges carry a minimum $500 fines, restitution for damage done, and 200 hours of community service. At least half of the required community service hours will be spent removing graffiti, according to Delaware law.