| Date: April 4, 2022 On Thursday, March 31, 2022, Saanich Police received information from a family that several hateful and threatening notes had been left on a family member’s vehicle while parked at their residence. This was the second such occurrence, the first being this past January when the vehicle was parked at a residence in the WestShore area. Investigators have seized the notes for evidentiary purposes and are treating this occurrence as a targeted hate crime. It is suspected that the person(s) responsible is either known to the victim or has been in contact with them at some point. Under S. 319(2) of the Criminal Code of Canada, the willful promotion of hatred is defined as Every one who, by communicating statements, other than in private conversation, willfully promotes hatred against any identifiable group. The notes also contain threats, which could be treated as a separate criminal offence. “We know that this family does not feel safe at this time and they are very concerned for their well-being,” said Cst. Markus Anastasiades. “We are working with them during this investigation and will be providing support and a safety plan. Every person has a right to feel safe in their own community, one which this family has called home for over 30 years. There is no place for hateful messages of any kind and this investigation is being treated very seriously.” Anyone with information is asked to contact the Saanich Police Department at 250-475-4321, or they can report what they know anonymously through the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. File: 22-6120 Cst. Markus Anastasiades Public Information and Communications Officer [email protected] |