Police in Windsor are investigating after someone spray-painted several bus shelters and several downtown businesses with Islam themed messages.
The messages on the bus shelters along Ouellette Ave. in downtown Windsor say, "Islam executes drug dealers", and "#ShariaNow". They also refer to a passage in the Biblical Book of Revelations.
In the King James Bible, the passage reads, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates to the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolators, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie."
Vandalism on a bus shelter on Ouellette Ave. near Giles Blvd., shelters along Ouellette Ave between Wyandotte St. and Tecumseh Rd. hit with similar messages, December 13, 2017. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
Sergeant Steve Betteridge confirms patrol officers are canvassing the scene, but can not say yet if it will be investigated as a hate crime. He does say, despite the perception, this kind of graffiti is not all that common.
"From experience, it comes in waves," he says. "Quite often it's a very small number of people that are responsible for it."
As offensive as the graffiti may be, Betteridge also says it is important not to wash it off.
"You want to get it removed, but our advice is not prior to the police being able to do their investigation," he explains.
In November, police investigated after graffiti reading, "Islam Will Rule the World" started popping up around the west end of the city. At the time, the Windsor Islamic Council denounced it as "a malicious attempt to divide our communities".
Police believe the incident occurred in the early morning hours of Wednesday. A surveillance video photo of the suspect has been released. Anyone who can identify the individual is asked to contact Windsor police or Crime Stoppers.
Provided by Windsor police.
Provided by Windsor police.