The Niagara Regional Police have been investigating a incident of mischief or vandalism to the rainbow crosswalk in Niagara-on-the-Lake since talking to the town Thursday, June 1, and are calling it "potentially hate-motivated."
The crosswalk was installed across Anderson Lane at Niagara Stone Road Monday, May 29.
In a news release from the police issued June 14, they say that sometime between the morning of Tuesday, May 30 and Thursday, June 1, at 5:47 p.m., an unknown suspect damaged the rainbow crosswalk.
Town CAO Marnie Cluckie says she called and reported the incident.
The police have a video of a male riding an ATV, intentionally doing “burnouts” on the rainbow crosswalk. He is described as a white male with a slim build wearing a black full-face helmet. He's shirtless, in red or pink shorts, with black shin-high socks and white Crocs.
The ATV is dark-couloured, possibly green, and the right rear taillight may not be working, the news release says.
Marnie Cluckie, the town's CAO, said in an email to The Local that "the rainbow crosswalk was installed in our community as a show of support for the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. and a symbol of inclusion. I remain deeply saddened by this act of vandalism and hope that anyone who has information as to who is responsible comes forward to the Niagara Regional Police Service."
Anyone who may have information as to who is responsible is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009408, and reference incident 23-60056.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
Anyone (residents or businesses) in the area with closed circuit security cameras, doorbell video cameras, or dash cameras are asked to review their footage for suspicious activity for the period between Tuesday, May 30 at 7 a.m. and Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 5:47 p.m.