The Burnaby RCMP announced this week that they are investigating an incident at Burnaby's Byrne Creek Secondary school, where symbols of hate, including Nazi swastikas, were painted on the school.
Cpl. Rick Skolrood of the Burnaby RCMP told the Burnaby NOW on Thursday afternoon that the police are looking for three people of interest, all of whom are under the age of 18, in connection with the Byrne Creek incident. In addition, the police are looking for witnesses to the incident, which occurred on June 15.
"We currently do not have enough evidence to arrest anybody," said Skolrood. "Our hate crime unit is working with school (officials) to get as much information on this incident."
Byrne Creek Secondary is known for its high numbers of immigrant and refugee students.
School board chair Larry Hayes said that more than one school was hit, and that the police are taking it very seriously.
"There were certainly a number of other schools that were graffitied as well in the district. I believe it was over a one-or two-night period that was the heaviest. We certainly want to ensure that people don't say this is just grad pranks. They are very serious events. Certainly the graffiti that was done at Byrne Creek, the police are viewing as criminal events," Hayes said. "They are taking it all seriously, but that one with its racial overtone, they are taking a lot more seriously."
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Burnaby RCMP at 604-294-7922, the B.C. Hate Crime Team at 6045984243 or 604-543-4903, or to remain anonymous, CrimeStoppers at 1800222-8477.
