Alarm raised after peanut butter found smeared on playground equipment in Toronto parks

NationalPost.com
Aug. 12, 2016
By Laura Hensley

In a life-threatening act of vandalism, peanut butter has been smeared on playground equipment in Toronto parks, alarming parents with children who have deathly nut allergies.

“It was obviously a deliberate act,” says Sarah Bolton, who discovered peanut butter smeared on swing sets and a large climbing structure at Dufferin Grove Park in west Toronto about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. “There was no way it could be by accident.”

Bolton, who lives in the area, was at the park southeast of Dufferin Street and Bloor Street West with her two-year-old son.

The peanut butter “was just everywhere,” she said. “The volume must have been at least three jars of peanut butter. It was unbelievable.”

She said when a city work crew arrived to clean it up, some other moms who were at the park chipped in to help. At 11 a.m., the crew was still working.

“Given the known issues with peanuts and the risk of anaphylaxis in some children, this vandalism is even more concerning,” said Matthew Cutler, a spokesman for Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

He said the city has also responded to reports of peanut butter found in Carleton Park, Perth Square and Hillcrest Park, but staff could not locate any traces when they arrived.

Bolton warned other parents in a local Facebook group about the incident at Dufferin Grove, as it is a “haven” for children.

“I posted an allergy alert and said if your kid has a peanut allergy, you want to avoid this park,” she said.

“I’m a teacher, so I’m really aware of how dangerous peanut allergies can be, and how common they are.”

According to Food Allergy Canada, peanut allergies affect about two in every 100 children. Allergy rates are higher in children under three, with about six to eight per cent having a food allergy, according to the organization.

For someone with a severe allergy, coming into contact with peanut butter can have serious consequences. If even traces of the nut are ingested, there’s potential for an allergic reaction.

Police said Friday there was no investigation underway as no complaint had been made.

“As soon as someone calls the police, an investigation will begin. But we can’t start an investigation based on a story in a newspaper or comments online,” said Caroline de Kloet, a Toronto Police media relations officer.

“It’s gone viral … but nobody has filed a report saying they were there or they’ve seen it.”

Cutler said anyone who spots incidents of vandalism in parks should call 311, and let police know of suspicious or potentially criminal behaviour.