Over the past two days, Deputies have responded to four vandalism incidents in Bel Air involving political and vulgar speech, two incidents were at a local Middle School. As a result of proactive patrol by a Harford County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputy, a 12-year-old male suspect was identified, and subsequently turned himself into law enforcement. He has been charged in all 4 incidents investigated by the HCSO to the Department of Juvenile Services referral.

On October 12, the School Resource Deputy at Southampton Middle School was alerted by staff members of graffiti that was spray painted on the outside of the building. In that case, vulgar images and profanity were spray painted on the school, along with political messages. We were called again on October 13 for additional vandalism that occurred in the overnight hours. This time, more graffiti with similar messages were spray painted on the building.

Additionally, On October 12, deputies responded to a home in the 1100 block of Malkus Way. There, deputies found a “Trump 2020” flag damaged, and the home vandalized with profanity spray painted. The incident happened sometime between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m.

On the morning of October 13, deputies responded to a home in the 800 block of E Broadway in Bel Air for another vandalism complaint. Deputies were informed by the homeowner that someone stole three Trump signs out of his yard on October 12, so he replaced them with additional signs. Then in the overnight hours, an unknown individual spray-painted profanity on his home, and spray painted over his Trump sticker on his car.

Incidents like these lead to fear and anxiety in a community. It is an important reminder that while we enjoy free speech, that freedom does not extend to graffiti and vandalism of private property. The minute you do that, it becomes a crime.