Seaholm, Police Report No Problems Thursday After Racist Graffiti Mentions 'May 12'

Despite dealing with a two-week bout of racism and asking for extra police presence Thursday, administrators from reported no problems Friday.

“Yesterday was a very peaceful day,” Seaholm principal Terry Piper said in an email sent to parents Friday afternoon.

The school was under a microscope Thursday because of graffiti discovered in a boys restroom May 6, which read “n------ ruin seaholm. May 12.” vehicles were posted at both entrances to the school throughout the day, while officers patrolled the hall alongside a group of parent volunteers.

Birmingham Police Cmdr. Terry Kiernan said the day was boring — in a good way. “The school just wanted a police presence to help everyone feel safer and ease parents’ concerns. (However), everyone thanked us for being there, so it was worth it,” he said.

The school has also started a tip line — 248-203-3737 — so that students and parents can provide information on the incidents anonymously. To her knowledge, Community Relations Director Marcia Wilkinson said the school hasn’t received any tips yet.

So far, during the school’s investigation into what is now six incidents of racism at Seaholm. According to school administrators, the student admitted to writing the in a boys restroom. The graffiti named five African-American students and suggested they be lynched. The Birmingham Police Department is compiling evidence to turn over to Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper.

That graffiti was followed by the discovery of three anonymous notes containing and a April 21-27. Besides the graffiti discovered May 6, another message was found scrawled on a bathroom wall Wednesday afternoon.

Since April 20, parents, students and administrators have been addressing the incidents in a variety of forums. Seaholm and the student group Birmingham Voice hosted a , and the school’s Diversity Club held a .

“The students in charge of the vigil did a terrific job of demonstrating their unity and commitment for tolerance and respect,” Piper said.

To address the incidents and encourage community dialogue, Seaholm administrators and again Wednesday, during which Piper announced that one student had been caught.

The Diversity Club has been soliciting pledges from students all week, urging their classmates to stop using racist language and to speak up when others do so. Piper also said a group of concerned students will show their support by marching in the this Sunday.

If you know something about the incidents at Seaholm that can help the police or school administrators, call the Seaholm tip line at 248-203-3737.