Mira Costa High School has once again been the target of antisemitic graffiti, prompting new outrage and calls for further action. Nazi swastikas and “Gas the Jews” graffiti had been spray painted on multiple parts of the campus. Staff members have since cleaned and painted the vandalized areas.

Nevertheless, school officials condemned the acts and vowed to address the situation, with MBUSD Superintendent John Bowes calling the incident "senseless and despicable."

While Mira Costa has been the target of hate graffiti in the past, there has been an upswing in such episodes in 2022. This incident is the latest in a string of antisemitic incidents that have roiled the campus in recent months.

Two antisemitic graffiti cases were reported at Mira Costa in late January 2022. Two additional antisemitic vandalism graffiti incidents at Mira Costa occurred during the week of February 7th.

The discovery of a fifth occurrence of antisemitic graffiti at Mira Costa on February 17 - and the additional discovery of antisemitic graffiti at Robinson Elementary - added to the concern and outrage, leading the city, community leaders, and the police to resolve swift action on the issue.

In early March, then-Mayor Hildy Stern and then-Police Chief Derrick Abell made an unusual joint appearance before Mira Costa's Jewish Cultural Club to assure students that the city stood in solidarity with them.

If you have any information on this incident, please call the MBPD’s anonymous tip line at (310) 802-5171.