Vandals defaced at least two locations in Newmarket last weekend, including the namesake sign at the Charles VanZant Woodlot on Wayne Drive at Waratah Avenue.
The graffiti, which included the words “BLM - L$D” cost the town $100 to remove. BLM is a well-recognized acronym for the Black Lives Matter movement, which campaigns worldwide against anti-Black racism and systemic racism, and L$D is the title of a song by rapper A$AP Rocky.
A peaceful Saturday, June 6 demonstration in Newmarket in support of Black Lives Matter saw about 200 protestors march through downtown to the York Regional Police District #1 station, where they took a knee in respect of the police killing of 46-year-old Minneapolis, Minnesota father George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer.
It is not known who is responsible for the graffiti.
“When staff were aware of graffiti on the Charles VanZant Woodlot sign, the sign was covered up and the graffiti was removed as quickly as possible,” public works services acting director Mark Agnoletto said.
In addition to graffiti on the Charles VanZant Woodlot sign, town staff also reported graffiti located along the Tom Taylor Trail, near the Mabel Davis Conservation Area by the Locks, behind the Newmarket dog park off Bayview Parkway on Thursday, June 4.
It was removed on Friday, June 5.
The late VanZant was a Newmarket councillor from 1949 to 1952, and a well-known citizen for his civic and athletic activities, according to local historian Richard MacLeod.
Graffiti is characterized as the illegal defacing of property by painting or otherwise marking it with words, pictures or symbols, according to the York police website. The majority of graffiti involves "tags," which are personalized signatures or "throw ups," which are multi-coloured, bubble lettering painted on mailboxes, hydro poles, bridges or walls, police state.
And it has a negative effect on the community in many ways.
“It contributes to reduced property values, a decline in commercial sales, increased crime rates in affected areas, wasted tax dollars for clean-up and decreased use and enjoyment of public facilities. It diminishes citizens' feelings of safety and security,” states York police.
Residents who notice graffiti on public or private property are asked to contact the Town of Newmarket by email at [email protected], or call 905-895-5193 with the location of the graffiti.
Residents can also use the report-a-problem feature in the Recycle Coach app to report graffiti.
Residents who see graffiti or vandalism in process are encouraged to call 911, town officials say. Graffiti is a crime and should be reported to the York Regional Police.
