City of Calgary

04/14/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/14/2021 14:36

Graffiti being investigated as a hate-motivated crime

Graffiti is a crime that can have a big impact on victims regardless of the message. However, when the message appears to be targeting the victim, the impact is even greater as it leaves the person wondering who is targeting them and why.

We are investigating a case like this in the Royal Oak community. On the morning of Tuesday, April 13, 2021, a homeowner along Royal Birch Mount N.W., discovered that someone had spray-painted the words 'KKK' and 'rat' on the garage door and siding of her home overnight. No other neighbouring homes were vandalized.

Given the racial overtones of the graffiti, we are investigating the incident as a potentially hate-motivated crime. We are asking anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact us.

'Graffiti of this nature can really harm someone's sense of safety, especially when it targets their home,' said Senior Const. Craig Collins, Hate Crimes Coordinator with the Calgary Police Service. 'It is not a victimless crime and actually has far-reaching effects in the community as others see the hateful message and can also feel targeted.'

'We take these incidents very seriously and will do everything we can to find the person responsible.'

Hate-motivated crimes are recognizable crimes, like assault, theft, vandalism or any other crime, where the offender was motivated by bias, prejudice or hate that is based on one of nine personal characteristics of the victim.

Any evidence of a hate motivation is considered by the courts after a person is found guilty of the connected crime. If the judge decides during sentencing that hate was a motivation for the offence, it is an aggravating factor that can add to the convicted person's sentence.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Calgary Police Service non-emergency number at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: 'P3 Tips'

Case# 21134741/4771