Police to investigate vandalism incident involving antisemitic, racial slurs
TORONTO – Police are investigating after several vehicles and houses in Dundas, ON, were marred by a variety of hateful messages, including, ‘Kill the Jews,’ ‘Hitler,’ and at least six swastikas.
Vandals wielding spray paint and markers struck at 12 homes on four different streets early on the morning of Feb. 2, Hamilton Police Service Detective Sergeant Tom Andrew said.
The worst messages were antisemitic and racist: a swastika and ‘Hitler’ on a rear deck, two swastikas and ‘I hate niggers’ on the doors of a double garage, and a swastika and ‘Kill the Jews’ on a different garage door. Swastikas were also painted on two vehicles. Other messages did not have racial or genocidal overtones; many made liberal use of profanity.
Police do not believe that the Jewish community was specifically targetted because the crimes were not committed in a predominantly Jewish neighbourhood and no victims have identified themselves as Jewish, said Andrew.
“We are continuing to investigate,” he said. “We have done canvasses of the area, deployed our school officers, and increased patrols with our marked cruisers and mounted units. As our investigation progresses, there has been nothing to indicate that this act of vandalism was directed at any specific group or individual. It’s our feeling that this was a random act of mischief by disorderly youths cutting through the neighbourhoods.”
Nonetheless, given the intimidation inherent in some of the messages, if the perpetrators are caught and convicted, “I would hope that the courts would take that into consideration as an aggravating factor and that the punishment would be increased because of that.”
Anita Bromberg, national director, legal affairs, B’nai Brith Canada, said, “These ugly attacks are an affront to the entire community. We call on all good neighbours to work together to condemn such divisive acts and do more to educate our young people.”
Article posted in Communities, Jewish community
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