Scrawled furtively in silence, hate graffiti in public places shouts its message loud and clear. Likewise, gang graffiti can post warning of members' intent to fight or even kill someone. In schools, nothing may seem more important for preventing victim humiliation and fear, as well as copycat actions, than getting graffiti covered and cleaned as quickly as possible.

Because some defacement of property is criminal, however, the steps below suggest ways to preserve and record evidence while minimizing its impact on students. For high-profile incidents, refer to the School-wide Emergency Response section, in which students are encouraged to discuss the incident and suggest solutions to underlying problems.

• Contact appropriate authorities. For major property crimes or defacement, ask police to initiate a thorough investigation. In smaller-scale incidents, such as textbook or blackboard graffiti, notify administrators and discuss with students.

• Document any high-profile defacement. Take photographs of graffiti - an instant or video camera eliminates the delay and uncertainty of film processing - and write a description that includes location and time of discovery.

• Conceal hate graffiti. If the police have been called, cover the defacement - opaque plastic or lightweight fabric secured with nails or duct tape works well - until police approve removing it.

• Remove the offensive graffiti as soon as possible. Consider organizing a school- or community-wide group clean-up to send a counter-message of "blotting out hate"(see photo, next page). For classroom or textbook defacement, arrange a clean-up during class time, with group discussion.

• Trace the source. Ask anyone who has information about the incident to report it, and assure the safety and anonymity of those who provide assistance.

• Support those targeted by hate graffiti. Devote class time to discussion of the defacement, but avoid singling out members of a targeted group. For example, if vandals have painted swastikas in the hall, avoid asking for Jewish students' responses unless they volunteer them. (see also Provide Support for Victims.)