Redmond HS students admit Ridgeview vandalism

A group of Redmond High students came forward Friday and told police they were the ones responsible for vandalism found early Thursday at Ridgeview High School, officers said, adding that the teens “are working to make amends with staff and students” at the rival school.

Contrary to some earlier reports, Lt. Nathan Garibay said, “At this time, we do not believe the students were consuming or possessed alcohol” during what the youths said “started as a prank.”

Garibay confirmed that school staff arrived Thursday to find graffiti painted on windows and metal supports, as well as some spilled paint. A car was parked against the school’s front doors, but was not on the roof, again as some rumors had indicated, he said.

“The damage has been mostly cleaned up after significant work by school custodians, staff and students,” the lieutenant said.

Police are still investigating the incident, in collaboration with both schools, Garibay said, “and with the support of the Redmond School District, appropriate consequences are being considered, and the case will be forwarded to the (Deschutes County) District Attorney’s Office for review.”

In his news release, Garibay went on to offer praise: “Throughout this investigation, the character of both student bodies and the professionalism of school district staff was both impressive and appreciated.”

“Students and staff at both schools are working to prevent future incidents of this nature and repair the damage that has been done,” the officer said.

On Thursday, Ridgeview Principal Lee Loving focused in a special video message to students on the positive — students and staff who pitched in to help scrub off the graffiti.

The principal said in a special message on the Ravens’ YouTube channel that there were “eight individuals who came to our school last night and vandalized it, and that’s not OK.”

Lt. Keith Knight said the clean-up costs have been estimated at $1,000.

“What I witnessed after, I was very grateful for,” the principal told the school in his video message, as a photo showed students and staff cleaning graffiti off the front doors.

“Redmond High School didn’t do this to us,” Loving said. “It was a few individuals who made a poor decision.”

And he added, “We’re not going to get them back in a vandalizing way,” as the words “NO PAYBACK” appeared on-screen, asking of students: “No retribution. No getting back.”

Instead, Loving urged students to wait until next fall, then play hard and defeat the Panthers on the soccer field and the basketball and volleyball courts, among other sports.

“”Every time we see a Redmond High School kid, we should give them a handshake, a hug,” he said. “A few don’t like us. Folks with character take the high road and do what’s right. … I am so proud to be a Raven.”