Stencils saying “We The People” and “Don’t Tread on Me” with a snake drawing, both with flags under them, were spray-painted in black near a plaque commemorating the opening of the building in 1972 under Mayor Elmer Cravalho.

“Many people worked very hard to get this county building built,” Victorino said. “If you have differences of opinion, I can see you putting protest flags out. But when you got to start spray-painting, especially county buildings, that’s one level I don’t understand and don’t condone.”

He said the vandalism was done after the building closed Wednesday afternoon for the Thanksgiving holiday. County Risk Management Division employees were reviewing the surveillance video, he said.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to see who did it,” Victorino said. “I’m very disappointed somebody would take that kind of action. You have your rights to your opinions, you have your rights to your beliefs. But when you start forcing that onto others … you’re trying to force your will on us. I think that’s a mandate.”

The vandalism was reported to police, Victorino said.

Police did not respond to requests Friday for information about the case.