Orangetown Police arrested two Pearl River High School students Tuesday in connection with the vandalism of high school property at approximately 2 a.m. Friday, June 8.
According to a release from the Detective Bureau of the Orangetown Police Department, the students are not being identified at this time because they are eligible for "Youth Offender" status.
The students were charged with Criminal Mischief in the 4th degree, a class A misdemeanor and Criminal Trespass in the third degree, a class B misdemeanor.
Students spray painted graffiti on exterior walls of the high school and damaged playing fields and sports equipment, including hurdles used for track and field and the portable outfield fence on the baseball field.
Pearl River Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Morgano said earlier this week the district will press charges against any students involved.
The investigation is ongoing. The Orangetown Police Detective Bureau is asking any individuals with information regarding the incident to call the bureau at (845) 359-2121.
They are charged with trespass and criminal mischief. No its not a felony and it really doesnt even raise to a Class A misdameanor because no person was hurt, so Class B would probably be more appropriate but I agree pay for the damages and community service should send the message, why press charges, it doesnt accomplish anything.
I'm becoming proud of these kids as I see the over reactions. It was stupid but it took guts.
3) You quoted "making an example". Who suggested an example be set? It's called accountability...something there is very little of in Pearl River. These kids, people that will be attending college in 2 months, made a mistake. They committed a crime, so they should be prosecuted. 4) If you are 17 or 18, (you seem to know that they are 17) and you are pulled over by a cop. Do you get off easy because your 17?
As young people, many of us have done foolish/stupid things, but we drew the line when it came to something that was against the law. Why? Probably because our parents let us rot in jail, and when we did get out of jail, they would make our life a living hell. This is not the case today. Everybody makes excuses for their kids' transgressions. I ask this---at what age should a person be held accountable when they break the law??
The graffiti was weak, a few words, no racism, poor street art value. My school had its own sand blaster. Where is PRs? Failing something is a posible cause for anger. The pieces of plastic don't belong to the school, nothing does. The school belonges to the tax payers who support it, including the parents of these kids. The people who are calling for a more severe punishment than anyone has gotten in the past, are looking too "make an example". I meant it as a phrase not a quote. I don't know how old they are, but they are less than 18 or juvinile defender would not be an option.
If your kid was in trouble you'ld be singing a different tune, I hope. No parent would let their kid go to jail if they could help it, and no kid has ever gone to jail for spray painting, school sucks, on a building.
Are you blaming PRHS for the vandalism b/c the don't have a sand blaster? Why don't you ask your school if PR can borrow theirs. And, interesting how quick you are to minimize Track hurdles by simply calling them "pieces of plastic". Next item: I agree that failing something is cause for anger...but while you are grasping for straws and making excuses for a criminal act, does failing a class justify defacing a school? And lastly, more severe punishment doesn't mean jail or cutting of a finger. It means being prosecuted. We live in a civilized country and there are laws that all citizens must abide by. Do you not think graduating seniors (17/18 year olds) are cognizant of their actions and potential consequences? Best, ed
The punishment is controlled by the High School Code of Conduct that all students and their parents sign. Get a copy and read it -- you will see how police got involved as they should have been.