A public confession

POST FALLS - It was a graffiti investigation, confession, apology and a request for forgiveness all in a matter of a few hours at the Post Falls Senior Center on Wednesday.

If only all graffiti cases were this quick and easy.

A 13-year-old Post Falls boy confessed to tagging the back side of the center after facility workers noted he made a remark about being involved in an earlier graffiti incident.

A few minutes after the statement was made, the center's maintenance worker discovered the "Seek (and an unclear word)" painted on the building.

The boy, who started to volunteer at the center as part of the school district's alternative-to-suspension program on Tuesday, admitted to the tagging to seniors over their lunch.

When he apologized and asked for forgiveness, he drew applause from the group.

Alison McArthur, the center's director, said there was another silver lining.

She said there are plans to paint the center this weekend and, had a suspect not been found, she would have likely postponed the project.

"I would have held off for awhile based on what else has gone on around town," she said.

There have been multiple graffiti incidents this year, including tagging war memorials at the American Legion.

Police are investigating whether the boy is tied to any other graffiti cases such as in parks or at schools, but don't believe he is connected to the Legion incident.

The boy was not arrested, but faces disciplinary action.

McArthur said it was the first time in nine years there have been any issues involving alternative-to-suspension student volunteers at the center. More than 500 students have volunteered at the center over the years.

McArthur said the program continues to deserve high praise and the incident won't dissuade the center from using the volunteers.

"A lot of good has come from those kids," she said. "The program teaches kids life skills. We're glad the boy was caught when he was and that he confessed, but this program has helped this center a lot in those nine years."

Students perform a variety of tasks, including serving seniors at lunch, doing chores around the facility, growing produce for seniors in need and helping with Meals on Wheels. Last year they helped repair chairs damaged by a water leak.