Barrie police are investigating two incidents of vandalism involving the Barrie Cenotaph downtown and at Military Heritage Park along the lakeshore near the Southshore Community Centre.
Police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon says they were alerted about the vandalism at the Barrie Cenotaph on Wednesday morning.
"It would appear an individual spray-painted one of the most sacred places in the City of Barrie," Leon told Barrie 360. "As a result of that, we are conducting an investigation. There are similarities between that and a report that was received late yesterday involving Military Heritage Park where some black spray paint was also sprayed upon some of the most important areas of remembrance down there."
Leon says police are in the process of utilizing surveillance video footage that is available to hopefully identify the person responsible for this, referring to the incident at the Barrie Cenotaph.
"The Barrie Cenotaph and Military Heritage Park are two locations that are very important to our community and certainly recognize not only the sacrifice of the past but the incredible relationship we have with the Canadian military."
A spokesperson for the city said they hope to have the graffiti cleaned up in a few days.
"Staff attempted removal but stopped out of concern of damaging the granite finish. A contractor who is familiar with maintenance to monuments has been contacted. The contractor has recommended waiting for slightly warmer temperatures before they start clean-up, due to the materials and cleaner that are used. We expect it will be cleaned up by the end of the week," said Scott LaMantia, City of Barrie Senior Communications Advisor, in an email to Barrie 360.
Banner image supplied - Barrie Police Service
