Police investigate hateful graffiti at Sikh Gurdwara

Graffiti found on the road outside of the Sikh Society Gurdwara in the southwest is being investigated as a hate-motived crime. We are asking anyone with information on who was responsible to contact us.

Sometime between 9 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, and 7 a.m., the next morning, two hateful phrases were painted on roads outside the temple with arrows pointing towards the building. The Gurdwara is located at 739 81 St S.W., and the two painted phrases were found along 81 Street and Old Banff Coach Road S.W.

“It is unacceptable that anyone in our community feels okay making such derogatory statements about their neighbours, even more so when they went out of their way to make sure that the people they targeted would see it,” said Sergeant Gareth Joels from the Calgary Police Service Hate Crimes and Extremism Unit. “No one should have to read messages like this on their way to worship or anywhere else in our city.”

“Graffiti that targets a particular racial or religious community has far-reaching effects in the community as it makes everyone who sees it question their sense of safety and belonging in our city.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call our non-emergency number at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: "P3 Tips"

Case# 21423361/5124

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.

A hate motivation does not result in any additional charges, but any evidence of it 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.