Community Discusses Recent Graffiti Incidents At Middle School

The message Thursday was that “hate has no home” in Middletown.

Members of the community came together at Carl Sandburg Middle School in Middletown’s Levittown section after dark to denounce the recent anti-police and anti-Semitic messages spray painted on the outside walls of the building two weeks in a row. A short candlelight vigil was held before a town hall discussion sponsored by The Peace Center, National Association for Advancement of Colored People’s Bucks County branch, Neshaminy Federation of Teachers, Temple Judea of Bucks County, Neshaminy School District, and the Middletown Board of Supervisors.

“As appreciative that I am that we’re all here, I’m also sad,” said Dawn Kelly, principal at the middle school and also a parent in the community.

She explained to the crowd that the middle school teaches students not to hate through its learning innvitives and encouraged the community to help shut out hate. The eductor with more than 20 years experience added that as a Jewish member of the community, the graffiti impacts her as the school’s leader, as a Middletown resident, and due to her religious affiliation.

“Don’t let what was spray painted on this school affect what you think happens in this school,” police Chief Joseph Bartorilla said.

Superintendent Joseph Jones explained that the district is founded on a bedrock that “diversity strengthens our society.” He added that students have a right to be safe and not fearful while in school.

With parents, students, and staff gathered in the auditorium, Barbara Simmons, executive director of the Langhorne-based Peace Center, said the community needs to work together as one to counteract the hateful graffiti.

“Hate is something you learn,” said Cantor Paul Frimark of Temple Judea. “You’re not born that way.”

The message from The Peace Center’s Gayle Evans was that everyone can stand up to acts of hate and stand up for what is right.

In the crowd, one student, Emma, wore a shirt that read “Choose Kind” to encourage kindness among her peers.

Jim McKee, the vice president of the National Association for Advancement of Colored People’s Bucks County branch, urged the crowd to vote in November and help change the political situation, which he said includes some leaders who use hate.

Bartorilla told the crowd his investigators are continuing to probe the two incidents. He pointed to surveillance images released Monday and said a detective walked the property and did not locate any physical evidence.

The chief announced the Citizens Crime Commission of the Delaware Valley is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the hateful graffiti at the school. They money was donated. Tips can be called into the Citizens Crime Commission of the Delaware Valley by dialing 215-546-6532.