Four Lewiston children have been charged with felonies after an episode of vandalism this week. School leaders say the kids vandalized the former Longley Elementary School, which is now being used for the Next Step program and Lewiston Adult Education.
Lt. Derek St. Laurent of the Lewiston Police Department told the Lewiston Sun Journal that each of the four children were charged with burglary and aggravated criminal mischief. The aggravated criminal mischief charge was added because the damage exceeded $10,000. According to Lewiston Superintendent of Schools Jake Langlais, the vandalism occurred Sunday night into Monday morning and the students entered the school through smashed windows. “These are spaces that have been developed with great pride, built up to support our students and community for the betterment of the whole,” Langlais told the Sun Journal. “I believe we have no better opportunity to restore it to something that is better than its prior condition.”
Photos of the damage posted on social media show damaged furniture, paint smeared on the walls and floors, broken bathroom mirrors and school and office items dumped on the floor. Officials estimate the cost of the damage to exceed $100,000, said Lewiston Police. St. Laurent called the damage a “slap in the face” to the staff and student’s of the district, adding that these children are just “ruining it for themselves.”
The district currently isn’t allowed to have staff or volunteers on the site of the vandalism, but officials say they will invite volunteers when appropriate.
