Church vandalism: Another Metro Vancouver church covered in graffiti; local police investigating
Metro Vancouver police are investigating another act of vandalism after a church was covered with orange graffiti over the weekend.
New Westminster police said in a news release Monday that St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, which is at Royal Avenue and 4th Street, was targeted on Sunday.
"We're working to find the people responsible for this and hold them accountable," said Sgt. Sanjay Kumar in a news release.
"We’re asking anyone who witnessed this vandalism or knows who may have been responsible for it to contact the New Westminster Police Department."
Last week, Vancouver police said its department had notice an uptick in vandalism of local churches in the past two months. Investigators in that city said they're looking into 13 incidents of mischief and vandalism at churches and church properties since June 2. Some of the reports include rocks being thrown at windows, graffiti and threats of buildings being set on fire.
At least six other churches in B.C. were destroyed or damaged by flames over the past several weeks. Mostly recently, a Surrey church was destroyed in what police are calling a suspicious fire. An Abbotsford church was also set on fire last week, though police have moved from describing that incident as arson to a case of mischief.
Some have speculated that the recent church destruction and vandalism could be connected to discoveries of unmarked graves at former residential school sites across the country as most of the schools were run by the Catholic Church.
The schools were known for overcrowding, poor sanitation, unhealthy food and menial labour. Harsh punishment was given to students who spoke their native language or took part in traditional ceremonies.
Investigators are hoping to speak with anyone who has additional information about Sunday's vandalism. Anyone with details or surveillance video from the area can call police at 604-525-5411.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.