Police investigate 'hateful and offensive graffiti' found in Aurora park

toronto.citynews.ca
Aug. 18, 2023

Police in York Region are investigating what they term “hateful and offensive graffiti” was found in a park in Aurora.

Investigators with the Hate Crime Unit say they were called to Fleury Park around 7 a.m. on August 16 and discovered five vehicles along with park benches and signs that had been vandalized with graffiti. Police would not elaborate on the nature of the graffiti except to say that it included “profanities, offensive drawings and hateful language.”

Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas called the vandalism unacceptable and intolerable.

“I want to make it clear that such actions are utterly unacceptable in our town, province, and country,” he said in a social media post. “YRP has launched an investigation and if those responsible are apprehended, they will face full prosecution in accordance with the law.”

Replies to the mayor’s post indicated the graffiti was “one swastika after another.”

Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed anything or has any information or video surveillance to contact them.

Police are also urging parents to speak with their children and teens about the serious consequences around graffiti and hate-motivated incidents, adding they should question their child when graffiti-related items are brought home.

“York Regional Police does not tolerate hate crime in any form,” police said in a statement. “Those who victimize others based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression sexual orientation, or mental or physical disability will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”