SHERBROOKE — Guysborough County District RCMP have received a report of mischief that occurred in a park in Sherbrooke.
“The information provided was that a number of words and comments that could be considered slurs were written on a gazebo in permanent marker,” Corporal Carlie McCann, N.S. RCMP Public Information Officer for the RCMP told The Journal on Oct. 29 via email. “Based on the words and comments included in the vandalism, it has been classified as a hate-motivated incident.”
RCMP confirmed that the vandalism did not include any threats to groups or individuals.
“The RCMP takes incidents of hate with utmost seriousness and condemns these acts, and appreciates that partner agencies also took the incident seriously and quickly removed and covered over the vandalism when it was discovered.”
When asked, St. Mary’s Deputy Warden James Fuller confirmed that a few incidents of vandalism have happened over the past couple of weeks.
“There has been some graffiti vandalism at the gazebo and benches at Pioneer Memorial Park in Sherbrooke,” he wrote in an email to The Journal, adding that municipal public works staff had completed repairs to restore the park.
Fuller added, “It is unfortunate that a few individuals would make this peaceful area feel unwelcome and unsafe.”
Some residents who voiced concern to The Journal about the vandalism also expressed concern over the closure of the public washroom located at 16 Main St. – in the parking lot beside Shoppers Drug Mart. Fuller said there is “routine repair work underway” there.
He added that washroom is expected to re-open within the week, while apologizing on behalf of the municipality for any inconvenience.
