Residents of Santee discovered an offensive display on a fence at Rio Seco Elementary School earlier this week: a pink-and-white Swastika and a multi-colored racial slur placed where summer camp students enter the campus.
The Santee School District said staff removed the vandalism immediately after becoming aware of it and reported the incident to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. The district issued a statement condemning the act and said it is coordinating with law enforcement and community partners.
"The Santee School District strongly condemns acts of hate and vandalism. Recently, we discovered an offensive and hateful symbol displayed on a shared fencing area between the school campus and the SportsPlex," the district wrote in a statement to 10 News.
What happened and how officials responded
According to posts shared in the Facebook group "All Things Happening in Santee," an image circulated showing the symbols on a fence adjacent to the SportsPlex where families and children pass during summer programs. The person who posted the photo said the decorations were "quickly taken down, but not before some families and kids saw it."
District staff removed the items and notified law enforcement. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office has been informed and the district said it is working with community partners to address the incident.
- Location: Fence between Rio Seco Elementary School campus and the SportsPlex, Santee.
- Action taken: Vandalism removed immediately by district staff; incident reported to San Diego County Sheriff's Office.
- Community reaction: Parents and residents expressed outrage on social media; some referenced prior hate-related incidents while others called for reporting information to law enforcement.
Community context and concerns
Residents reacted strongly on social media. One poster called on neighbors to report any information about the vandalism, writing, "If you know something about this, report this trash. We should be way past this garbage." Some comments on the local Facebook group referenced Santee’s history of tensions related to hate groups and expressed frustration that such conduct still occurs in public spaces near schools.
Local officials and the school district framed the episode as incompatible with efforts to maintain safe, inclusive learning environments. The district’s statement reiterated its commitment to fostering environments that are "safe and welcoming for all students, staff, and families."
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incident | Swastika and racial slur on fence near Rio Seco Elementary |
| Response | Removed by district staff; San Diego County Sheriff's Office notified |
| Reported by | Photo shared in "All Things Happening in Santee" Facebook group; statement to 10 News |
Parents and community members said the placement of the symbols — where children and families enter for summer programs — made the incident particularly troubling. Several commenters urged neighbors to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity to authorities.
The school district emphasized collaboration with law enforcement and community partners as it investigates and responds to the incident. Officials did not provide further details about any suspects or an ongoing criminal investigation in the initial statement.
For residents seeking to report information, the district and the San Diego County Sheriff's Office are the primary contacts. The district’s swift removal of the vandalism and its public condemnation aim to reassure families that schools will not tolerate hateful conduct on or near campuses.
As the community awaits any additional details from law enforcement, parents and civic leaders in Santee continue to call for vigilance and for concrete steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
