Rocks Shatter Windows At New Oldham School, Damage Heavy-This Day in Norwood History-July 2, 1964

One of the most flagrant cases of vandalism in the town in several years was discovered Saturday morning at the new Oldham School on Prospect Street where over $500 damage was caused by children who threw rocks through several windows in the rear of the building, smashing desks and damaging the walls and floors.

One of the worst flagrant cases of vandalism in the town in several years was discovered Saturday morning at the new Oldham School on Prospect Street where over $500 damage was caused by children who threw rocks through several windows in the rear of the building, smashing desks and damaging the walls and floors.

The police investigation has uncovered the names of seven children said to have been involved, ranging in age from four to 11 years. Their parents will be held responsible.

Supt. of Schools Dr. Philip O. Coakley was called to the scene, together with Atty. Joseph R. Olshan, chairman of the Oldham School Building Committee, and both were aghast at the extent of the damage.

Rocks weighing as much as several pounds were found on the floor inside the sixth-grade room that is in the rear of the building on the northwest side.

Sergeant John J. Wall of the Norwood Police Department, the first officer on the scene, went to work immediately to determine the names of those responsible and later was joined by Sergeant Arthur J. Groh. Their joint investigation and questioning of children in the area revealed the names of those said to be responsible. The parents of all the children involved are being questioned by the police.

In commenting on the vandalism, Dr. Coakley said that restitution must be made and that a full report on the vandalism will be made at the next School Committee meeting.

A copy of the General Laws as pertaining to acts of vandalism at or in a school building or church reads as follows :

“General Laws, Chapter 266, Section 98. Wilful Injury, etc., to Schoolhouse, Church, etc., or Furniture, etc. Whoever wilfully, intentionally and without right, or wantonly and without cause, destroys, defaces, mars or injures a schoolhouse, church or other building erected or used for purposes of education or religious instruction, or for the general diffusion of knowledge, or an outbidding, fence, well or appurtenance of such schoolhouse, church or other building, or furniture, apparatus or other property belonging thereto or connected therewith, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than two years, or both.

(Amended by 1960, 169, approved March 7, 1960; effective 90 days thereafter.)’’ NOTE: 1960 Amendment increased the penalty.

(All articles were originally published in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)