Officers will increase their presence around the school and increase patrols in the community to “promote safety and ensure an inclusive environment,” police said.Â
Officers will increase their presence around the school and increase patrols in the community to “promote safety and ensure an inclusive environment,” police said.Â
York Regional Police are investigating two separate hate-related incidents in Vaughan, officers said Sunday.
On Thursday, officers responded to a park near after receiving a report about a swastika spray-painted on the sidewalk. Investigators said the graffiti has since been removed, but they are asking anyone with information or video footage from the area to come forward.
On Saturday, police were notified about a video circulating online that was filmed outside an elementary school in the city. While the video is under investigation, police said no threats were made and there is no concern for public safety.
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The video shows a man wearing a kaffiyeh in front of the school with music playing in the background, police told the Star. They did not share further details about the content of the video.Â
Police told the Star the video is being investigated as a hate-related incident due to concerns from members of the public, as well as from the York Regional District School Board due to the video being filmed on school property.Â
York Regional Police emphasized that the two incidents are not believed to be connected but are both being thoroughly investigated as hate- or bias-motivated.
In response to rising concerns, police have partnered with the York Region District School Board to increase officer presence around the school. Youth engagement officers will remain in the area throughout the week to “promote safety and an inclusive environment,” and enhanced patrols are also planned in the surrounding community.
Joyce Li is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s
radio room in Toronto.  Reach her via e-mail
at joyceli@thestar.ca.
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