Saugeen Shores Police are investigating a report of vandalism to the newly installed Rainbow Crosswalk in Port Elgin.
According to a media release from Saugeen Shores Police, their investigation found on Saturday August 29th, between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., vehicles made several passes though the crosswalk where police say the drivers were intentionally spinning their tires and defacing the surface.
Police say the incident is being treated as a hate motivated crime and say their investigation will be conducted under the direction of the Saugeen Shores Police Criminal Investigations Unit.
Police note in a statement, “Hate crime and hate motivated crime have a harmful impact on the community.”
They add, “It causes emotional trauma to the identified groups that are victimized by hate crime, and it results in serious friction between different groups in our society.”
Saugeen Shores Police say their service, “Works closely with our community and the local Crown Attorney to ensure that we respond effectively when receiving complaints about activities that may constitute a hate motivated offence. These crimes will not be tolerated.”
Saugeen Shores police are asking anyone with information that may help identify who is responsible, to call them at 519-832-2500. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 (TIPS)