Calgary Police investigate hate-motivated vandalism incident

We are investigating an act of vandalism in the northeast community of Anaheim where a hateful symbol and a racially derogatory word were spray painted on a community pathway and on multiple residential fences.

On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, police were called to the 0 – 100 block of Anaheim Crescent N.E. for reports of property damage. Upon arrival, police spoke with the complainant who contacted police after noticing a yellow swastika spray painted on a pathway between several houses in the area.

Police also discovered several more yellow swastikas spray painted on two residential fences. One of the fences also had the N-word spray painted on it.

After speaking with the complainant, it is believed the vandalism could have occurred as early as Monday, April 19, 2021, however the exact date is not known. It is also not known if all of the vandalism occurred at the same time, or at different times.

As a result, this incident is being investigated as a hate-motivated crime because it is a criminal offence to deface public property and the vandalism has racist overtones.

Photos of the vandalism are available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

We are looking to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have information about those believed to be involved. Anyone with information is encouraged to call police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers anonymously through the following methods:

 TALK: 1-800-222-8477

 TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

 APP: P3 Tips

Police encourage citizens to immediately report acts of vandalism or graffiti so that they can be properly investigated, and all possible evidence gathered in a timely manner.

Vandalism is more than a property offence, it often has a lasting emotional impact on people whose homes and properties are damaged, especially if the vandalism indicates that victims have been intentionally targeted due to a personal characteristic or trait.

Hate-motivated crimes are recognizable crimes, like assault, theft, vandalism or any other crime, where the offender was motivated by bias, prejudice or hate that is based on one of nine personal characteristics of the victim.

Any evidence of a hate motivation is considered by the courts after a person is found guilty of the connected crime. If the judge decides during sentencing that hate was a motivation for the offence, it is an aggravating factor that can add to the convicted person’s sentence.

CA # 21153629/4771