WARNING: This story accommodates an offensive picture
Durham Regional Police are investigating after they are saying an anti-Semitic image was discovered burned into the grass at a soccer area in Whitby final week.
Based on police, officers have been referred to as to Prince of Wales Park, close to Dundas Avenue East and Thickson Street, at round 10 p.m. on Friday for a report of harm to the soccer area.
“Officers arrived and located a partially drawn anti-Semitic symbol which had been burned into the grass,” police mentioned in an electronic mail to CP24.
The investigation is ongoing, police mentioned, and officers are interesting for witnesses to return ahead.
Police mentioned the incident will probably be investigated as a property harm, mischief, and a hate crime.
In an announcement launched Wednesday, Whitby Regional Councillor Chris Leahy condemned the incident and urged all residents within the metropolis to report hate crimes and vandalism.
“Whitby is not the place you expect to see that type of hateful message. When I heard about this incident I called city staff but I also called B’nai Brith to report it,” he mentioned in a written assertion.
“I am also encouraging residents to be vigilant, if you see something say something. As a community we have to report these incidents to the appropriate authority.”
Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy condemned the incident “in the strongest possible terms” in an announcement issued over the weekend.
“This incident is an attack on the values that define us as a community and will not be tolerated,” Roy mentioned.
“The actions of a hateful few cannot and will not define us. It is critical that we stand united as a community against all forms of hate and intolerance.”
The mayor famous that employees have been dispatched to the park and took quick motion to cowl the vandalism till it was repaired.
