Area high-school students may have gone too far over spring break, when someone spray-painted obscenities on the infamous pillars that generations of Saxons have painted. Traditionally, the graffiti is tolerated because it’s viewed as school pride and has consisted of relatively innocuous sayings.
There is no evidence that the graffiti was placed on the post by a Langley High school student or students. However, it has been an annual tradition for Langley students to spray-paint the stone pillar in green and gold, the school colors, for as long as neighbors can remember. The post is located on the corner of Waverly Way and Dolley Madison Boulevard.
According to Fairfax County Police Public Information Officer Jeffrey Gossett, the police “have no solid suspects at this time.” However, a neighbor who called the police regarding the rowdy graffiti gave the police the names of those the neighbor believed were responsible for the crime. “We just have the speculation of the neighbor at this point,” said Gossett.
“They have crossed the line this time. Neighbors are up in arms over the graffiti. They spray-painted obscenities. It says ‘F--- Cops.’ They are upset,” said district supervisor Joan DuBois. Another side of the pillar was spay-painted with drug paraphernalia.
Samantha Fisher, Class of 1987, has spray-painted a pillar or two in her time. “As president of the sophomore class, I felt it was my patriotic duty to spray-paint the posts. It’s the only time I’ve ever done anything like it in my life. My sole act of vandalism. But really, everyone wanted to do it. Several other members of my cabinet were involved. But I don’t want to rat them out because some are upstanding members of society, with government security clearance,” said Fisher.
“WE DON’T KNOW who is responsible,” said Langley staff member Mark Rogers. “It’s being handled by the Fairfax Police at the McLean station.”
Barbara Miller, with the school system’s Community Relations Department, said, “To me this sounds like a police issue. It didn’t happen on school property.”
Gossett said the graffiti is considered destruction of property and is a Class 1 misdemeanor that is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,500. “Cases such as this one are solved through a partnership with the police and the community,” said Gossett.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Crime Solvers at 800-673-2777.