Damage, theft of political signs in Waterloo region under police investigation

Damage to several political campaign signs in Waterloois under investigation, police said.

The signs for various political parties were vandalizedbetween 5 p.m. on Aug. 24 and7 a.m. onAug. 25, Waterloo regional police said in a news release. The signs were in the area ofFisher Hallman Road N. between Erb Street W. and Columbia Street W.

It comes after police confirmed to CBC K-W that they received a report that election signs had been stolen in the area of Shelley Drive in Kitchener just after 2 p.m. on Aug. 17. A male in a black sedan was seen in the area at the time and Const. Ashley Dietrich said police continue to investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

On Monday, police in Ottawa also reminded people it's an offence under the criminal code of Canada and the Canada Elections Actto damage an election sign.

Police had said they'd seen reports of signs being stolen on social media, but only one had been reported.

"We want these incidents reported, particularly if they involve graffiti that is deemed to be hate-motivated," Staff Sgt. Jamie Aldrichsaid in a release. "Anything that promotes hate, violence or intolerance is offensive to everyone in the community."