Here is a recent Milton Canadian Champion Editorial outlining details of a recent graffiti attack on portables at Hawthorne Village PS.
I know there is no shortage of concern on behalf of many parents with kids who attend HVPS and other schools in town when this happens. Many of you have called and emailed recently to find out what the status is on this and from what i can tell you, the investigation continues and will continue until the culprits are found. All I have to say about this incident is that it’s disgusting….period. Full stop.
We have to keep an eye out for this type of behaviour. If parents have any information, they are urged to call the Halton Police right away to make sure things like this end.
Graffiti vandalism simply won’t be tolerated
We hope an arrest is made soon in a recent incident of graffiti vandalism so a strong message is sent to the public that this type of behaviour won’t be tolerated, especially when it involves racial slurs.
In early October, graffiti was written all over the walls of two portables at Hawthorne Village Public School.
Halton Regional Police said there were a variety of racial slurs and inappropriate phrases directed at identifiable groups written on walls.
A fire extinguisher was also discharged.
So far, no suspects have been arrested.
While some ridiculously argue that graffiti is simply “artistic expression,” it’s clear that Halton police — and the general population, we believe — view graffiti for what it is: vandalism.
And when it involves racial slurs, it can become a hate crime in the eyes of the law.
Graffiti has nothing to do with ‘art’.
It’s the defacing of public and private property. It’s the willful destruction of property. It’s an eyesore. It is a blight on the community.
According to Halton police, over the past year the service has received about 40 to 50 complaints from community members upset about damage caused to their businesses and residences.
Graffiti isn’t a victimless crime — far from it.
It’s especially hurtful when it involves derogatory remarks against a race or community. It’s an expensive crime that impacts the property owner due to the damaged caused.
We hope if an arrest is made, police will seek financial restitution for the victims of graffiti, and that they’re successful.