Statement
Statement from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on Recent Incidents at Bradley Hills Elementary School
For Immediate Release: Monday 13 April
“The disturbing graffiti discovered at Bradley Hills Elementary School this weekend, along with last week’s fire on the school property, is deeply concerning. I want families, staff, and neighbors to know that we take these incidents very seriously and are moving quickly. My team at the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service (MCFRS), and the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are working closely with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to respond to these incidents.
There will be an increased police and security presence at the school and in the surrounding area. We are focused on making sure students and educators feel safe when they walk into that building.
We need the community’s help, but everyone must be responsible. Please do not post names, photos, or rumors online. Sharing unverified information can misidentify innocent people, interfere with the investigation, and make an already difficult situation worse. When safety concerns arise, the first call should be to the police, not social media. If you think you have information that could be helpful, please contact MCPD at 301-279-8000. They will share all information with the fire investigators as well. Direct reporting gives law enforcement the best opportunity to assess the situation quickly, respond appropriately, and protect the community. Once police have been notified, any public sharing should be done responsibly and with care.
Acts like this are meant to create fear; however, we are a community that looks out for each other, and that is our strength. We will hold the people responsible accountable, and we will continue working with our schools and our public safety teams to protect our students and staff."
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Release ID: 26-014