Homecoming is a fun time. The Albert Lea community puts up with the toilet papering of trees. The businesses and city cooperate with displays of school spirit around the city.

The students and the community indeed have a good relationship.

But with the Saturday night vandalism of painting “Albert Lea High School” on buildings and walkways at the place where Austin High plays football, it pretty much invites vandals to come to our town and return the favor.

And that’s not good.

This incident could sour the student-community relationship.

Albert Lea doesn’t even play Austin for its Homecoming game this Friday. It plays Faribault.

It’s a month until the Austin game. That’s a month where more vandalism crimes might occur because of the Albert Lea and Austin rivalry, taking precious police time away from more serious matters.

That’s not school spirit.

If more vandalism happens, there should be changes in Homecoming traditions. Any tolerated activities, such as TPing, should come to an end. And anything involving paint whatsoever should be severely restricted.

Peer pressure works. ALHS students should know the criminal actions of a few could end some Homecoming Week traditions for all.