The San Marino Police Department is continuing to investigate a case involving allegations of racist content and hate speech but reported there have been no new leads.
Police Chief John Incontro said Tuesday that the department received an anonymous tip last week by email, but that the activity described “did not rise to the level of a crime.”
“It would be great to speak with this person, but they have chosen not to speak with us,” said Incontro.
On Thursday, June 4, complainants contacted the SMPD and alleged that racist comments, videos and photographs had been posted on various social media platforms by a San Marino High School student and two SMHS graduates. Investigators began meeting with an individual who identifies himself as a “whistleblower,” a minor whom police will not publicly identify, Incontro said. The SMPD continues to meet with the individual and has also filed search warrants on records at the high school and various social media sites.
Though new information has been scarce, the San Marino school board addressed a related topic at its meeting on Tuesday, June 23. At a special meeting before its open session, the board discussed curriculum, instruction, professional development and training related to issues of racism, equity, implicit bias, diversity and inclusion that were the subject of two recent petitions. The petitions had been circulated through social media since George Floyd died while in police custody in Minneapolis and allegations about the San Marino matter surfaced.
Jason Kurtenbach, SMHS’ incoming principal, mentioned the possible development and implication of course offerings he once oversaw while an administrator at Santa Monica High School; a freshman seminar and an ethnic studies class along with a general diversification of senior literature class offerings.
“They found this very powerful at Santa Monica High School,” said Kurtenbach of the freshman seminar. Touching on the subject of health, the seminar also has a “deep component of recognizing the inherent dignity of all people within the high school. We have to understand how our lives are different from their lives and how neither are better or worse. This course can help do this. It can set the stage for everyone entering the school.”
The ethnic studies class would be taken during a student’s sophomore year and assures that each student “sees themselves with curriculum and are represented within San Marino.” Kurtenbach advocated for senior literature class offerings to include contributions from writers representing the Asian American, LGBTQ, Latinx, African American and Jewish communities, among others.
“We want to work with all marginalized groups,” said Kurtenbach. “We want to work together to bring a spotlight to so many people that we might be teaching about and around, but are not talking to.”
The Police Department is encouraging possible victims or witnesses to contact Detective V. Wilson at (626) 300-0728. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact “LA Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-8477, use the application “P3 MOBILE APP” on Google Play or the App Store, or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
Police Still Pursuing Case Over Alleged Hate Speech
