Graffiti Found on New Malverne HS Sports Complex

Graffiti was discovered on 's new sports complex Tuesday morning, less than one week after vandals spray-painted and obscene graffiti markings on Lynbrook High School.

The vandals spray-painted obscenities on the track that surrounds the newly installed turf field, the new press box, soccer field, the back wall of the high school building itself, a small pump house nearby and some vehicles, according to Spiro Colaitis, assistant superintendent for district operations.

"They didn't touch the turf field," Colaitis told Patch. He explained that the obscenities "were directed toward members of the [school district's] administration." 

The vandalism was discovered by facilities staff Tuesday morning as they reported to work. Malverne Police and Nassau County Police were both called to the scene to investigate. 

When Patch visited the Malverne High School track Tuesday afternoon, workers had scrubbed away the graffiti using a cleaner, but some of the markings could still be partially seen including one obscene phrase and "2012."

Jacqueline Garay, a local resident, saw the graffiti, which was written in black, white and yellow paint, while she was walking the track around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.  

"I brought it to the attention of the grounds people and they were already aware," she told Patch.

Garay's daughter also showed her photos that surfaced later in the day on Instagram that depicted profanity scrawled on the stairs leading to Lakeview from the turf field and on a white van parked on the school campus, which she believed was property of the district.  

"My first reaction was disgust," Garay said. "I could not believe there are people that would treat our school with such disrespect. I truly hope the culprits are found out."

According to Colaitis, the school grounds are equipped with surveillance cameras.

Patch also spoke with Malverne Police Chief John Aresta, who confirmed that obscene graffiti was found at the high school but could not release any details about the incident at this time as it is under investigation.

Another incident in Herndon, Va., has created an uproar amongst residents after a group of Herndon High School seniors were told they won't be able to walk at their graduation because of at the school on June 6.

Principal William Bates told parents that he was notified by the building engineer at about 5 a.m. that the exterior of the building had been vandalized with paint. The students also poured baby oil on the floors in the main hallway, in the gym lobby and on two staircases.

This is a developing story, which Patch will update as more information becomes available.