Santa Barbara man who donated sign to Notre Dame school speaks out following vandalism

Pieces of what used to be the symbol for Notre Dame Elementary School in Santa Barbara were found in front of the campus Tuesday morning.

Bruce Garcia, who is from Santa Barbara, created and donated the sign nearly 20 years ago. He says the vandalism comes as a shock.

“The top half of the signage is removed,” said Garcia. “Just the base is still there. The sign consisted of a nice lime stone piece with the name of the school and then it had two pillars on the side of it.”

Police are investigating the signs destruction as an act of vandalism.

“It would be about $2,500 which would make it a felony,” said Anthony Wagner, spokesman for Santa Barbara police.

The school sign was often used as a background for pictures, but now the remaining pieces lay on a floor inside the school office.

“It looks a bit vacant with the sign gone,” said Garcia.

Garcia is unsure if it will be put back together again and the incident leaves him wondering who would do something like this.

“Somebody that had a grudge or someone who didn’t like Catholics or someone who was just angry,” said Garcia.

Class was canceled on Wednesday and Thursday at Notre Dame. It’s unclear if it’s connected to the sign being destroyed.