January 11, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Vandals Cause Damage to Local School

■ Fire Officials Ask for Help in Finding Culprits

Vandals went through Saint Joseph’s School and Church in Shreveport last night and caused incendiary damage to several doors of the property and one window. Shreveport firefighters were called to the school, located at 1210 Anniston Avenue, this morning after an office worker noticed smoke damage to a door. After arriving and once inside, fire crews found several of the school’s hand made paper banners, created by the students and hung on doors and hallways, had been burned during the night.

Shawn Harmon, stated that when she arrived at the school for work this morning, she did not notice anything unusual until a parent, dropping off a child, questioned her about one of the doors being blackened. On closer inspection, she noticed it had been on fire and summoned the fire department. Other damage found was a broken window. Fire investigators are currently on the scene and questioning anyone who might have seen any activity at the school last evening. One unidentified neighbor stated that a group of children smoking cigarettes were seen around the school buildings last night.

Damage estimates are listed as light. Anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to contact Captain Russell Moon of the department’s fire prevention bureau at 673-6747, or the Shreveport Fire Department at 673-6650. No injuries were reported.

###