A spree of racist graffiti targeting schools in the Cowichan Valley School District over the past month has led to an RCMP investigation.
In the span of four weeks, four schools have been vandalized with racist graffiti, with one school targeted twice.
School District 79, representing the Cowichan Valley, says the list of incidents includes:
- Discovery Elementary School – May 12th
- Frances Kelsey Secondary School First Event – June 6
- Frances Kelsey Secondary School Second Event – June 13th
- École Mount Prevost – June 22
- Cowichan Secondary School – June 23rd
All of the offences have been reported to the RCMP at both the North Cowichan/Duncan and Shawnigan Lake detachments.
“We are working closely with our RCMP partners to find out who is responsible for these reprehensible acts,” said Candace Spilsbury, Chair of the Board of Education for the Cowichan Valley School District.
“We know that unfortunately racism is alive and well in our communities. We are relying on members of our communities to come forward with any information that may help us find those that continue to target our students, staff, and community through these racist messages.”
SD79 thanked the RCMP for their diligence in the ongoing investigation, and also expressed their gratitude to staff who quickly painted over the graffiti.
Anyone with information on the École Mount Prevost or Cowichan Secondary School incidents is asked to contact the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522.
Those with information on the Frances Kelsey Secondary or Discovery Elementary incidents should call the Shawnigan Lake RCMP at 250-743-5514.
Anonymous information can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1800-222-8477(TIPS).
