The Ottawa Police Service is issuing a reminder that interfering with or damaging election signs is an offence under the criminal code of Canada and the Canada Elections Act. People can be charged for destroying or causing damage to signs. Charges can include mischief to property.
While police have seen multiple complaints in social media, only one complaint has been filed with police.
“We want these incidents reported, particularly if they involve graffiti that is deemed to be hate-motivated,” said S/Sgt. Jamie Aldrich from the OPS Hate and Bias Crime Section. “Anything that promotes hate, violence or intolerance is offensive to everyone in the community.”
If you see anyone tampering with election signs, you should call police immediately at 613-236-1222.
A resident called this morning when they saw two youth damaging signs in the west end. Officers attended and the tampering did not involve any hate motivation. Both boys received a verbal warning about their conduct.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.
If you are the owner of a sign that is damaged, you can report incidents after the fact online or through the Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222 extension 7300.
