An eyesore that’s hard to miss in a downtown Kitchener neighbourhood.
Residents say gang signs have been spray painted on several homes and it’s having a negative impact on their neighbourhood.
“It almost feels like a violation. This is our neighbourhood.” says Lane Burman who lives in the area. Burman is a part of the Mount Hope Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Committee. “I believe those are symbols for some sort of gang or whatever gang they feel they are a part of.”
Residents say over the last few weeks vandals have been spray painting several homes that are slated to be demolished. The Region of Waterloo has purchased these properties for the Weber Street expansion project and the demolition is expected to begin in the next few months.
Ward 10 Kitchener City Councillor Dan Glenn-Graham says he will be asking the Region of Waterloo to clean up the area. “I think this has a negative impact on the whole neighbourhood and it’s something we have to address right away.”
For some the graffiti is more bearable because the houses are coming down.
“As long as they don’t do it to the houses that people are living in.” Larry Strome tells CTV News.
Vandalism is a criminal offense and should be reported to police. There is also a Graffiti Busters hotline 1-855-TAG-FREE.
