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Police call for CCTV after graffiti spree

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Fresh vandalism: yet another wall defaced with homophobic and anti-Government graffiti(Photograph supplied)

Three parishes have been hit in new round of anti-Government and homophobic graffiti, including a wall along the Government House property.

The Bermuda stone wall along North Shore had only recently been built for a new roundabout at the junction.

Identical slurs have been sprayed painted on a wall by Devonshire Dock, and more graffiti has been spotted at various other sites around the island.

According to a police spokesman, affected areas include, but may not be limited to:

• Old Military Road, Devonshire;

• Blackwatch Pass/North Shore Road, Pembroke;

• Dock Hill, Devonshire;

• North Street, Pembroke;

• Fort Hamilton Drive, Pembroke;

• Naval Tanks Hill, St George’s.

The latest spate follows several cases in Devonshire and Pembroke of similar graffiti, which are under investigation by police, with the area of Blackwatch Pass bearing the brunt.

“An active investigation into this matter is under way and police are interested in speaking with anyone that may have seen suspicious activity in these areas or who may know the person(s) responsible for the graffiti,” the spokesman said. “Residents that wish to report graffiti in their neighbourhoods or that can assist with this inquiry are encouraged to contact the main police telephone number 295-0011.”

Michael Dunkley, the Premier, said: “I am aware of the incidents and understand that the Bermuda Police Service considers this a serious matter and is currently investigating it.

“While I won’t provide extensive comment, I do wish to say that I strongly condemn such vile, disrespectful and threatening language. This type of hateful vandalism has absolutely no place in our society.”

OBA chairwoman Lynne Woolridge also decried the messages, saying: “So there is no doubt as to the seriousness in which we view these expressions of intolerance and hate, the One Bermuda Alliance views these activities as criminal threats that attempt to instil fear among our elected officials, their families and other members of our community and these threats have no place on our island.

“Any defacement of property with venom-laced propaganda instigates rhetoric that is divisive and counterproductive as we move our country forward.”

She said the police should treat the threats as serious and dangerous.

Meanwhile in a joint statement released this afternoon Walter Roban, the shadow public safety minister, and PLP MP Diallo Rabain condemed the recent space of graffiti.

“While many Bermudians have become frustrated, disenchanted and even angered with the OBA’s approach on many issues, anti-social behavior and derogatory slurs against the LGBT community are not the way to express dissatisfaction or disagreement,” the statement read.

“We condemn this without reservation. We encourage all of Bermuda to seek more lawful and productive ways to participate in the political process.”

Fresh vandalism: more anti-Government graffiti has been reported in the Fort Hamilton Drive area(Photograph supplied)
Fresh vandalism: more anti-Government graffiti has been reported in the Fort Hamilton Drive area(Photograph supplied)