Vandals spray paint Lakota student’s pro-police parking space artwork with ‘BLM,’ profanity

The vandalism also included “BLM” being spray-painted multiple times.

Backers of the student’s original artwork on the West Chester Twp. school campus have created a Go Fund Page and money raised will be donated to the township police department.

Lakota Schools opened Monday morning for the first time since the statewide shutdown of all K-12 Ohio schools in March due to the novel coronavirus.

Students who drive to school at Lakota’s two high schools have in recent years been allowed to customize their parking spaces by painting them.

Sunday evening Lakota Superintendent Matt Miller took to Twitter to criticize the vandalism of the single parking lot artwork, which by Monday morning had been restored to its original state.

“This particular parking spot was designed to be a tribute to law enforcement using the image commonly referred to as the “Thin Blue Line,” Miller posted in a statement also attributed to Elgin Card, the former Lakota West Principal who now heads the district’s Diversity and Inclusion Office, and new Lakota West Principal Ben Brown.

“This targeted act of vandalism is currently being investigated in partnership between the Lakota Schools … and the West Chester Police Department,” according to the statement.

“The act shows the need for us to come back together as a school community so can engage on the topic of racism, police brutality and social justice in a responsible way. This is a public health issue and our students need an environment where we can be candid, listen and clearly establish values that avoid being influenced by political propaganda and special interests.”

Miller praised students, school staffers and community members who helped to restore the original parking lot artwork and promised further action.

“We look forward to expanding upon our safe and inclusive school environment where our students have a voice and opportunity to learn from one another, expand our perspectives and lead a path forward to unity and enlightenment. This will also include building upon our students’ relationships with local law enforcement,” according to the statement.

Anyone with information about the vandalism is encouraged to contact the West Chester Police, concluded the statement.

The leader of that police department also took to social media to praise Lakota’s quick action.

“Lakota is about teaching how to fix things,” wrote West Chester Police Chief Joel Herzog on Twitter.

“The kids rallied to fix this students parking space today. Looking forward to working closely with Ben Brown on communication and tolerance for different viewpoints without hate,” he said.