The San Marino Police Department said it is “seriously investigating” allegations that four current or former San Marino High School students may have produced and been in possession of racist content and hate speech, according to Chief John Incontro.
Concurrently, officials at the San Marino Unified School District, its Board of Education and SMHS have received more than 1,000 signatures on a petition concerning the matter, according to C. Joseph Chang, the board’s president.
Incontro said he was made aware of what he called “potential racism and a potential hate crime” last week and immediately launched an investigation. The SMPD has spoken to the district attorney’s office about the matter and has also consulted with experts on the subject, including those with technological expertise, to help determine the validity of the evidence. He said that the investigation “could take quite awhile,” and the fact that it may involve juveniles as either potential suspects and/or possible victims makes it more challenging.
California Penal Code 422.55 defines a hate crime as a criminal act committed, in whole or in part, because of the victim’s disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.
“[Allegations of] hate crimes have to be very specific about what has been going on,” said Incontro. “Hopefully we can do the investigation quickly, but I want us to be thorough and want to give any potential victim plenty of time to reach out.”
He also said the case involves “one of the most significant investigations in the 51/2 years I have been here. This really speaks to the culture and the history of San Marino and how it will affect our community.”
Incontro, who said that as of Tuesday morning the SMPD had not yet spoken to the four people who allegedly were in possession of the material, told The Tribune he is asking for possible victims to come forward.
“If we do not have a victim, we do not have a crime,” said Incontro. “I don’t know if there is reluctance or if people feel intimidated, but we need people to come forward and help us if they were involved or if we believe they are a victim. As a police department, we have a responsibility to thoroughly investigate these incidents.”
The chief also said that he has seen some of the images in question, but declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
In a statement to The Tribune, SMUSD Superintendent Jeff Wilson said: “The District has informed the San Marino Police Department, which is currently investigating the alleged acts. We clearly must do more to educate our students about the adverse effects of racism, discrimination and threats to justice. Our current and former SMUSD students are demanding that future students be educated about systemic racism, privilege and implicit bias so that they will not ‘perpetuate harm towards marginalized and oppressed groups,’ and I couldn’t agree more.”
The petitions are demanding the district rescind the diplomas of those alleged offenders who have already graduated from SMHS and amend their permanent records.
Incontro also said on Tuesday that the SMPD is “trying to make contact with people to better understand what has been going on.”
He asked that anyone with knowledge of the situation reach out to Detective Vince Wilson at vwilson@smpd.us or by calling (626) 300-0720.
“We are being extremely diligent to determine the appropriate course of action,” said Incontro.
Police Investigating Possible Racist, Hate Content
