WAYLAND — Acting Town Manager John Bugbee, Acting Police Chief Ed Burman and School Committee Chair Chris Ryan report that the Wayland Police Department is investigating racist graffiti discovered near Wayland High School this morning.
On Wednesday, Dec. 21, at approximately 7:30 a.m., police were alerted to a racist message directed at a school staff member written in graffiti at the Wayland Community Pool, located next to the high school. The Wayland Police Department and Wayland Public Schools are actively investigating.
“We do not tolerate any acts of hate in Wayland and we want to reassure our community that we are taking this incident very seriously. The person or people found responsible for this hateful message will be held accountable,” Acting Chief Burman said.
“Occurrences like this are contradictory to the values of Wayland and our overall mission of fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment in our community that respects all people,” Bugbee said. “The Wayland Police Department is working to determine the facts so that our community can move forward in a positive direction.”
Wayland Public Schools will share information with students later today about steps the District is taking to help students, staff and families heal from this incident.
“On behalf of Wayland Public Schools and our entire community, I denounce this clear and blatant act of racism. This incident goes against the core values of our community, and it undermines our continuing work in building an inclusive environment for each and every person in the community,” Chair Ryan said. “We are working very closely with the Wayland Police Department as they determine the circumstances and people involved in this hateful incident.”
Wayland Police has been in contact with the Anti-Defamation League New England. Anyone with information about this incident should contact Wayland Police at 508-358-4721.
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