The Piedmont Highlander

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The Piedmont Highlander

The Piedmont Highlander

Vandalism to Witter Field follows damage to Library

Vandalism+to+Witter+Field+follows+damage+to+Library

On March 25, Piedmont police received a report of vandalism to the security gate bar, roofing, and plumbing at Witter Field. Detective Jeff Spranza said that the yellow bar used to control traffic was removed, and the shingles on the roof were damaged. Spranza said the police are searching for camera footage, but currently have no leads.
The vandalism totals to an early estimate of $6,500 in damage. The Witter Field vandalism follows damage to the PHS library by less than a month.
The library was vandalized on March 5, when an unknown person or group broke into the library between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Thirty-seven books had been moved around, the printer had salsa in it, a keyboard was damaged, and a book scanner had been stolen. The police were notified about the burglary and vandalism on March 6, a police report was filed, and the damage is estimated at about $640, librarian Katheryn Levenson said.
The doors to the building near the breezeway had been left unlocked because of adult education classes, and the custodians could have left the door by the elevator unlocked while they were working in a different part of the school. The person or group of people could have entered the library either way, Levenson said.
On March 27, an anonymous student walked into the library and returned a library scanner which had gone missing the night of the vandalism, librarian Katheryn Levenson said. She said that this means that the actions are no longer classified as theft, only vandalism.
Assistant principal Irma Munoz said that the return of the scanner does not affect the punishment on the student if caught. Destruction of school property with or without theft can lead to suspension or expulsion, according to pages 23 and 24 in the student planner.
Levenson said that the vandalism to the library surprises her and disappoints her.
“I try to make this they most safe and user friendly place for the students, and I always feel like the students here in general are very well mannered and very respectful,” Levenson said. “It makes me feel like someone has sort of broken the trust.”
Assistant principal Eric Mapes said that he also struggled to understand why someone would do this to the library.
“We have been really lucky at this school with students respecting their school,” Mapes said. “But it does still happen that we get people who feel like it is okay to trash the place they come to everyday.”
Senior Bella Oglesby said that she feels students should respect the library, and that its use is a privilege.
“The library is such a great place to work and hang out and it’s so disrespectful that someone would do this.” Oglesby said.
The administration cannot do much more until someone comes forward with information, Mapes said.

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