3 Smithfield Juveniles Arrested In Racist Graffiti Case: Police

Smithfield RI

27 January, 2021

10:36 AM

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SMITHFIELD – Three juveniles have been arrested in connection with racist graffiti found on the Stillwater Scenic Trail on Jan. 15, said Smithfield Police Chief Richard St. Sauveur. The youths were charged with malicious damage and conspiracy, said police. They will be referred to the Juvenile Hearing Board with a recommendation from the Smithfield Police Department that will include restorative justice through education rather than punishment. The graffiti, which said things including "[expletive deleted] George Floyd" and "#BLDM", was reported to the police by longtime Smithfield resident Kim Ziegelmayer, who called on town officials to publicly condemn the hate speech. The graffiti has now been condemned both town and state officials, including Smithfield Town Council President Suzy Alba, Sen. Stephen R. Archambault, and Rep. Bernard Hawkins.