Police investigating anti-Semitic graffiti at Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute

Toronto Police are investigating another case of anti-Semitic graffiti found at Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute (BPCI) in Scarborough.

Police Chief James Ramer says police were notified about the incident on Thursday, and the Hate Crimes Unit is investigating.

Thurs. we responded to another call for anti-Semitic graffiti at a @TPS41Div school. An investigation will start & our Hate Crimes Unit is fully engaged. @TorontoPolice has been steadfast in our commitment to pursue these cases w/several arrests this week in hate-motivated cases.

— Retired Chief James Ramer (@jamesramertps) March 11, 2022

Toronto Police say officers were first called to a school in the Danforth Avenue and Kingston Road area around 10 a.m., where anti-Semitic vandalism was observed on school grounds.

Toronto District School Board (TDSB) spokesperson Ryan Bird tells CityNews it happened at Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute.

“This hateful act of vandalism is very similar to recent incidents that occurred last week at other schools and that police are currently investigating,” the TDSB said in a statement.

“While there is currently no indication that students are responsible for these incidents, the TDSB has been taking a number of steps to address antisemitism and hate including the recently released Combatting Hate and Racism Student Learning Strategy and additional professional learning — both of which will include specific lessons on antisemitism.”

There has been an increase in reports of racist graffiti found in the city, and Ramer says police have made several arrests this week in hate-motivated cases.

Several similar incidents were discovered at TDSB facilities in recent weeks. Toronto’s police chief has also acknowledged an investigation is underway after a historic church was desecrated with anti-Semitic and homophobic graffiti last week.

Hateful graffiti was found at three schools in Newmarket this week.

Toronto Police say they have not linked these incidents to the most recent vandalism case at BPCI in Scarborough.

“As police continue to investigate these ongoing incidents of antisemitic graffiti, the TDSB has increased security patrols where possible, particularly after school hours,” the TDSB adds.

“We encourage anyone that sees suspicious activity in or around our buildings during school hours to please contact the school and, after hours, to contact the TDSB 24-hour Emergency Call Centre at 416-395-4620 or the Toronto Police Service at 416-808-2222.”