The Rainbow Crosswalk on Gustavus Street in Port Elgin. Photo courtesy of Saugeen Shores.The Rainbow Crosswalk on Gustavus Street in Port Elgin. Photo courtesy of Saugeen Shores.
Midwestern

New Saugeen Shores rainbow crosswalk defaced

Saugeen Shores police are investigating the recent vandalism of a new rainbow crosswalk in Port Elgin.

Saugeen Shores police said sometime between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, a vehicle drove over the crosswalk multiple times. Police said the driver intentionally spun the vehicle's tires which resulted in the surface being defaced.

The rainbow crosswalk had just finished being painted earlier this week.

The incident is classified as a hate-motivated crime and will be investigated by the Saugeen Shores Police Criminal Investigations Unit.

Authorities said hate crime and hate-motivated crime can have a harmful impact on the community.

"It causes emotional trauma to the identified groups that are victimized by hate crime, and it results in serious friction between different groups in our society," said a release from Saugeen Shores police. "These crimes will not be tolerated."

Police are working closely with community members as the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Saugeen Shore Police Service at 519-832-2500 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 (TIPS)

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