The Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Charles County Crime Solvers and the Charles County Public Schools are encouraging students to help identify those responsible for graffiti-related hate crimes and vandalisms. On Feb. 13, the school resource officers passed out flyers to middle and high school students containing important information about how students can contact police or Crime Solvers.

In addition, the flyers announce rewards of up to $5,000 for tips that lead to the arrest and indictment of suspects. “Our experience has shown that juveniles are often responsible for committing graffiti-related crimes and our hope is that a reward will entice someone to call with the information we need to solve these crimes,” said Sheriff Rex W. Coffey, adding, “We’re sending a strong message that we’re serious about stopping this behavior.” Earlier this week, several buildings were vandalized with offensive slurs and graffiti: 

On Feb. 10, about 6:30 a.m., Sheriff’s officers responded to Smith Chapel at 7750 Poorhouse Road in Pisgah, after a passerby reported seeing spray paint on the church. Officers responded and discovered racial slurs had been spray painted on the building. Further investigation revealed classroom trailers at Mount Hope Nanjemoy Elementary School at 9275 Ironsides Road, the Calvert Wood Recycling Center sign at 6585 Ripley Road and a stop sign at Annapolis Woods Road and Poorhouse Road had also been vandalized with racially offensive graffiti and swastikas.

The Sheriff’s Office and Crime Solvers are offering rewards for information about another hate crime that occurred earlier this month. On Feb. 3 at 6:55 a.m., officers responded to Gale Bailey Elementary School at 4740 Pisgah Marbury Road in Marbury after an employee discovered racial slurs spray painted on the front of the school.

At 7:15 a.m., officers responded to Henry E. Lackey High School at 3000 Chicamuxen Road in Indian Head after more racially offensive graffiti was discovered spray painted on the back of a classroom trailer. Officers investigating these incidents believed the crime occurred overnight and that the same suspect may be responsible for both crimes. It is unclear whether the same suspect is also responsible for all of the crimes, but detectives are investigating a possible connection. 

Anyone with information about any of these hate crimes is asked to call Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. Students with information are encouraged to use the Crime Solvers tip boxes inside their school. All callers remain anonymous.