The marquee in front of Yokota High School was among several things vandalized on campus with what appears to be the “A” anarchy symbol spray-painted in red between Tuesday afternoon and early Wednesday morning on Yokota Air Base, Japan. (Vince Little / S&S)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Yokota High School and some Yokota school buses were vandalized with what appears to be the "A" anarchy symbol spray-painted in red.
A derogatory phrase also was spray-painted on the main office building at the campus between 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, a Department of Defense Dependents Schools official said.
At the school Wednesday afternoon, Principal Richard Schlueter declined to comment.
"Military authorities are investigating allegations of individual(s) having vandalized school property," Chip Steitz, a DODDS-Pacific spokesman on Okinawa, said in an e-mail to Stars and Stripes. "No charges have been filed at this time. We are cooperating fully with the investigation."
Students were called to a special assembly in the school gym Wednesday morning and asked by 374th Security Forces Squadron members to remain until 10:30 a.m. as the investigation unfolded, Steitz said.
Lt. Col. Anthony Maisonet, the Yokota security forces chief, said the incident is under investigation, and he could not comment on details in the case.
"Security Forces takes matters such as today’s event seriously, and we will put forth every effort to find those responsible," he said.
At 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Schlueter met with the entire student body, "seeking their assistance in identifying the suspect or suspects and complimented them on their behavior" throughout the day, Steitz said.
Base and DODDS officials would not reveal the extent of the damage or say how much cleanup might cost.
On campus, the red graffiti marks were clearly visible on both entrances and the exterior of Yokota High School’s main office building. The marquee out front also was spray-painted with the anarchy symbol.
Several DODDS buses were seen around base Wednesday tagged with the same marking on the front and back. The vehicles are parked overnight inside a fenced area near Yokota High School.
Steitz said DODDS may conduct an internal review as the military completes its investigation.
Anyone suspected of damaging government property would be referred to the base command for possible criminal prosecution or administrative action by Yokota’s disciplinary committee, he added.
