Police investigating possible anti-Semitic graffiti at Vaughan park

CP24.com
Nov. 1, 2015
By Chris Bracken



York Regional Police are investigating after graffiti targeting Jews was spray-painted in a public park in Thornhill.

The graffiti was discovered on a sign in Concord/Thornhill Regional Park near Dufferin Street and Highway 407 around mid-afternoon on Oct. 31, York police said.

An image captured at the scene and posted to Facebook showed the word ‘Jews’ spray-painted across a park sign.

City staff were contacted by police Saturday and covered up the graffiti on the sign.

It wasn’t immediately clear who scrawled the message and police said there are no suspects at the moment.

In a news release, Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua called the graffiti a "disturbing act of vandalism that is completely unacceptable and goes against the core values upon which our community has been built."

"We will continue to take an active and public role in combating racism and discrimination which is part of our ultimate goal to maintain a safe and inclusive city."

The city has a by-law in effect against graffiti which levies a fine of between $400 and $20,000 on those convicted for the first time.

The park features an off-leash area for dogs, baseball diamonds and a children's playground.