After a rainbow crosswalk in Langford, British Columbia was defaced, the local Mounties have identified the suspects responsible for the act.
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the incident occurred on May 23rd, when the rainbow crosswalk, located at the intersection of Goldstream Avenue and Veterans Memorial Parkway, was vandalized with black paint. The crosswalk, which was painted in celebration of Pride Month, was defaced with derogatory words and symbols.
Following the incident, the West Shore RCMP launched an investigation and were able to identify the suspects through surveillance footage and witness statements. The suspects, who are believed to be two young males, have been cooperative with the police and have been released pending further investigation.
In a statement, Constable Nancy Saggar of the West Shore RCMP expressed disappointment over the incident, stating that “this type of behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated in our community.” She also added that the RCMP takes hate crimes seriously and will be working closely with the Crown Counsel to determine appropriate charges for the suspects.
The defacement of the rainbow crosswalk has sparked outrage and condemnation from the local community, with many expressing their support for the LGBTQ+ community and their disappointment over the act of vandalism. The City of Langford has also released a statement denouncing the incident and reaffirming their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity.
The rainbow crosswalk has since been restored to its original state, with the help of volunteers and community members who came together to repaint it. The City of Langford has also announced plans to install security cameras in the area to prevent future incidents.
The RCMP is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and contact the West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. The investigation is ongoing and the RCMP is committed to bringing those responsible to justice.
As the community continues to come together in support of the LGBTQ+ community, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting acceptance and inclusivity in our society.
