Calgary, Alberta – We are investigating a string of hate-motivated vandalism incidents that occurred in the southwest community of Cedarbrae last week.
On Monday, April 10, 2023, white supremacist markings and stickers were found on a Little Free Library operated on private property in the 3000 block of Cedarille Drive S.W. The owners of the library removed the stickers, believing the incident to be an isolated event.
On Saturday, April 15, 2023, the homeowners once again found the Little Free Library on their property vandalized with white supremacy stickers, as well as additional derogatory terms written across the library. They then reported the incident to police.
On Thursday, April 20, 2023, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., once again the Little Free Library was vandalized with derogatory terms, with white supremacy language written across the library. We have reason to believe this Free Little Library was specifically targeted.
“Hate-motivated vandalism, especially on private property, has a significant impact on both the victims and the community as a whole,” says Constable Matt Messenger of the Calgary Police Service Hate Crime Prevention Unit. “Nobody should have to tolerate or be subjected to hate.”
Our Hate Crime Prevention Unit is investigating these incidents, and asks anyone who may have witnessed the vandalism, or may have information on who is involved to contact police. 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.
File# CA23156015/4757
Calgary Police Service
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