Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a vandalism hate crime that occurred at Cabrillo High School in Vandenberg Village.
At 6 a.m. Tuesday, deputies were dispatched to the campus for a report of vandalism, including racial slurs painted on walls and on windows. Additionally, a Black swimmer’s legs were painted white on a campus mural while graphic images and profane messages were found around the campus.
Paint was poured on walls, windows and exterior dining tables.
Additionally, bags of wet cement bags were placed in front of classroom doors in an attempt to prevent the doors from opening and windows were broken, according to school district and Sheriff’s Office representatives.
School Resource Deputy Dennis Thomas is conducting a follow-up investigation to the incident in coordination with Cabrillo High School administration.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Thomas by email at ddt3055@sbsheriff.org.
To remain anonymous, tips can be provided by calling 805.681.4171 or online at SBSheriff.org.
Although the vandalism was discovered Tuesday morning, school representatives didn’t release information about the damage until that afternoon on social media, while district officials and the Sheriff’s Office waited to report the incident until Wednesday.
The holiday weekend also saw vandals strike at the Santa Barbara High School campus for what police dubbed “a senior prank gone wrong.”
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.