Charges dropped related to racist graffiti in Ottawa transit stations

Editor’s note: The charges against a suspect originally identified in this article were dropped. His name has been removed.

OC Transpo’s special constables have laid charges against an Ottawa man amid an investigation into racist graffiti at local transit stations.

Ottawa police said Friday there have been a string of “racial remarks and symbols” written at several OC Transpo stations in recent weeks, with the latest appearing on July 22.

The Ottawa transit agency’s special constables arrested a man they believe is responsible for three of the recent incidents and charged him with mischief. Those charges were later withdrawn.

Special constables also helped Ottawa police investigate a “hate-motivated” incident on July 13 on Rideau Street.

As a result, Ottawa police arrested 45-year-old Shane Arcand on Thursday, charging him with one count of mischief.

Earlier this year, OC Transpo’s special constables received special training to deal with hate crime-related incidents, according to a release.

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