It looks like it is more of an activist statement.”

Barrington Police Chief Michael Correia, about graffiti found outside a local school

On Wednesday, June 7, Barrington Police investigated some graffiti written in blue chalk on a section of curb outside Barrington Middle School. The graffiti said “No Blacks!”

Police spoke with school officials and were able to identify the student who wrote the words. Police spoke with the student and the student's parent — the student told police they wrote the words because they believe there are not enough African American students and educators at the school.

“It looks like it is more of an activist statement,” said Barrington Police Chief Michael Correia. “It was meant to reflect a need for representation… Our detective department spoke with the student and his mother and confirmed that it was a statement by him reflecting that there’s not enough students of color and educators of color.”

Chief Correia said the graffiti did not constitute a hate crime.

Police would not comment on the student’s race.

“I don’t think that’s important,” Chief Correia said. “What’s important is the student’s intention and what they were trying to convey.”