COVID-19 hoax graffiti sprayed on 2 sides of Kelowna city hall - Action News
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British Columbia

COVID-19 hoax graffiti sprayed on 2 sides of Kelowna city hall

The Kelowna RCMP is investigating after someone sprayed hoax graffiti related to the COVID-19 pandemic on two sides of city hall.

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran said it could cost thousands of dollars to remove the graffiti

A vandal targeted the west and north walls of Kelowna city hall with messages about the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday morning. (Winston Szeto/CBC)

The Kelowna RCMPisinvestigating after someone sprayed graffiti withCOVID-19 hoax messages on two sides of city hall Tuesday morning.

The graffiti is in the form of phrases about the pandemic, including criticism of government measures to control the spread of the disease.

"This behaviour is criminal and we will be following all leads to determine who did this graffiti,"saidCpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy of the Kelowna RCMP.

On Tuesday afternoon, City of Kelowna staff worked to remove it.

A City of Kelowna worker removes COVID-19 hoax graffiti from the outside walls of Kelowna city hall. (Winston Szeto/CBC)

Mayor Colin Basrancalled the incident disappointingand saidit could cost thousands of dollars to remove.

"Certainly, people are entitled to their right to protest, but this goes beyond that. I mean this is breaking the law," he said."It's unfortunate that people have to go to that extent to get a point across."

Basran said targetingthe Kelowna city hall building is also misguided, as municipal governments are not responsible forpandemic restrictions.

"It also costs the taxpayers thousands of dollars. So I think everyone should be unhappy about it," he said.

The RCMP is asking anyone with information about the graffiti to call the Kelowna detachment or the Crime Stoppers tip line.