University Police Arrest Alumni in Campus Graffiti Incident

University police arrested two people on Oct. 6 and charged them with seven counts each of making graffiti, third-degree criminal mischief and possession of graffiti instruments, according to an email sent to the campus community from Ryan Williams, chief of police of the University Police Department (UPD).

“The two suspects matched the description of individuals who had been observed via CCTV camera near one site of vandalism, and they were in possession of spray paint and other graffiti-making tools at the time they were approached by UPD officers,” Williams wrote in the email.

Pictures of the graffiti across campus started circulating shortly before noon on Oct. 7 via the anonymous social media platform YikYak. “FREE GAZA” and “SUNY NEW PALTZ STILL FUNDS GENOCIDE!” were among the statements sprayed on stairs, sidewalks and walls. 

“Graffiti was ultimately discovered at nine distinct sites around campus, including the West and North Campus Entrance signs, the ‘Wings’ mural at the Excelsior Concourse and the new stairway leading to the library concourse,” the email read.

The individuals were given court appearance tickets and released. Both are SUNY New Paltz alumni.

While making graffiti and possession of graffiti instruments are misdemeanors that carry maximum sentences of one year and three months respectively, third-degree criminal mischief is a Class E felony. 

It is the least serious type of felony in the state of New York, but can carry a sentence of up to four years in jail. However, a person convicted of a Class E felony can receive a conditional discharge or sentence of probation instead.

They were also issued “persona non grata” letters, which informed the individuals that if they were to return to campus, they would be arrested and charged with criminal trespassing. 

“This damage to campus is disruptive and expensive to repair. As a public university, we welcome and respect the free expression of ideas, but we will not tolerate damage to state university property,” Williams said. “These acts of vandalism will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

This is the second graffiti incident on campus in under a month. On Sept. 12, UPD received a report of “hateful and threatening” graffiti at College Terrace, according to an email sent from Williams that day.

“This is a separate incident from the Sept. 12 Hate Crime/Criminal Mischief incident that was previously communicated to campus. The investigation of that Sept. 12 incident is continuing,” Williams wrote.

Graffiti was also discovered off-campus on Oct. 8, the following day.

“ALL ZIONISTS ARE RACISTS” was sprayed on the left hand sidewalk of Plattekill Avenue near the parking lot behind McGillicuddy’s. The graffiti was just a few hundred feet from the Starbucks on the corner of Main Street and Plattekill Avenue. 

Another statement, “YOUR TUITION FUNDS GENOCIDE,” was sprayed on the sidewalk outside the New Paltz Village Hall on Plattekill Avenue.

There has been no public acknowledgment of these off-campus cases by law enforcement.