Spraypainting Vandals Strike Salem Schools, Businesses

Salem police are turning to the public for help in apprehending the suspects responsible for a "significant amount" of graffiti at numerous local schools and businesses.

Deputy Chief Shawn Patten said the vandalism has occurred numerous times "during the overnight hours over the past two weeks." 

Among the buildings to be tagged with graffiti are Haigh School, Lancaster School, the Santo Building on Main Street, Salem Laundry on Main Street, a stone wall at the intersection of Stonepost Road and School Street, the utility box at the four-way stop at the intersection of School and Millville streets, the old Coke Plant, the Route 111 sound barrier wall, and several bridge supports on Rockingham Park Boulevard, in addition to other undisclosed locations and structures in Windham and Atkinson.

Patten said the suspects' car, which appeared to have three occupants, was spotted behind Haigh School around 2:15 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20. The words painted at Haigh School were “BONES 13” and “NATIVE 13,” and the words were painted in black and orange like the other tags found in the area, according to Patten.

Patten asked anyone with information to call the Salem Police Department at 893-1911, or the Southern New Hampshire Crimeline at 893-6600.