CALGARY – Several graphic images and offensive phrases have been washed away at St. Dominic Elementary School on Dalhart Road, but an investigation by Calgary police has only begun.
They can’t say yet whether the graffiti sprayed onto the Catholic school in the northwest community of Dalhousie could be considered a hate crime.
“There’s some hate motivated words that are used but at the same time there are some childish images and words that are used,” said Cst. Dave Ladic. “It’s a mix of everything, so until we discuss with the offenders what the motivation is, we can’t say what motivated them to do it.”
Calgary police are urging parents to check their kids’ phones if they are suspicious of their behaviour. They say offenders often take videos or photos of the graffiti using their smartphones to show friends.
St. Dominic is a specialty arts school that celebrates creativity.
“Obviously this is an unfortunate situation and we are thankful this incident took place over the Christmas break so that students were not there to see their school defaced in this manner,” said Karen Ryhorchuck, a spokesperson for the Calgary Catholic School Board.
Calgary police said this is the second graffiti vandalism case at a Calgary school this month.
The last was at H.D Cartwright School. Police couldn’t say whether the cases are related.
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