Police investigating after rainbow crosswalk in Niagara-on-the-Lake defaced with hateful graffiti 

Just three days after police reported the rainbow crosswalk in Niagara-on-the-Lake had been vandalized for the third time, officers allege vandals have again targeted the crosswalk. 

This time, the incident is being treated as a possible hate-based crime. 

Police say that on Aug. 4, a Niagara police officer on patrol noticed the rainbow crosswalk at the intersection of Anderson Lane and Niagara Stone Rd. had been damaged. 

This is the fourth report of damage since the crosswalk was first created on May 29, according to police.

When the tourist town first unveiled the rainbow crosswalk, designed to support the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, by June 1, it had been vandalized by “burnout” skid marks.

The town cleaned it up, and by June 14, it happened again. Niagara Police identified a 15-year-old from St. Catharines on an ATV as the suspect.

Police say that more recently, an unknown suspect used black spray paint to write “profane and offensive words directed toward the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.” 

According to police, the town has been notified and intends to remove the graffiti. 

Detectives are appealing to nearby businesses and area residents to review their surveillance footage and report any suspicious behaviour.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1007730.