Niagara Regional Police are asking business owners and residents living near the intersection of Anderson Lane and Niagara Stone Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake to check their video surveillance footage from early Monday morning.
The call comes after a rainbow crosswalk at that location was vandalized.
Police say someone climbed up a nearby utility pole between 3 a.m. and 3:10 a.m. on July 31 and sprayed what was believed to be black spray paint on a surveillance camera lens pointed in that direction.
“The suspect proceeded to deface the crosswalk by spray painting a profane word and doing a ‘burnout’ that left visible traction marks,” police said in a news release.
Investigators do not yet have a suspect or vehicle description, but are hoping someone might have caught suspicious behaviour on their surveillance footage.
“In addition, volunteer members of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Fire & Emergency Services who responded to the Anderson Lane fire station for an unrelated call for service at 2:39am on July 31st, 2023, are being asked to recall and report any persons or vehicles that may have seemed out of place,” police added.
The lead detective on the case can be reached by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1007730.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
This is the third time the crosswalk has been defaced since it was installed in time for Pride Month in June.
“The rainbow crosswalk is an important symbol of diversity, inclusivity, and acceptance in our community,” said CAO Marnie Cluckie.
“This act of vandalism attempts to diminish the spirit of unity the crosswalk represents. It is disheartening to witness such acts in our community, but I hope we will join together as a community once again and not allow such incidents to discourage us.”
