TORONTO — The Posluns branch of Associated Hebrew Schools on Neptune Drive was the target of a late-night vandalism incident earlier this month, as a lone male spray-painted a trio of disturbing – and somewhat odd – words on or near school property.
Video cameras captured a male vandal spray-painting the words, “Kill All,” on the school.
But in an odd twist, the same vandal was also seen spray-painting the words “love” on a small wall on school property and on a nearby seniors residence.
The Shaarei Tefillah Congregation across the street was not affected.
Toronto police were notified of the incident, and the case was turned over to its intelligence branch, which includes the hate crime unit. The words were removed before classes resumed, and children did not see the graffiti, said Elliott Brodkin, Associated’s executive director and CFO.
The incident took place at around 11 p.m. a day after kids had spent the night at the school on a sleepover program during Sukkot.
“It was seen the next day, I attended with the police, and it was power-washed right off,” Brodkin said.
In an email to parents, Brodkin highlighted several steps taken by the school, including informing police and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) of the incident and keeping in place security measures implemented at the start of the school year.
“Both Toronto police and CIJA have indicated that there is no additional risk to the Posluns community as a result of this incident and that, in their opinion, students, staff and parents are safe,” the message to parents said.
“Of course it’s troubling that someone would paint on a school building. As to intentions, I can’t speculate,” Brodkin told The CJN.
The incident occurred well before last week’s terror attacks in Ottawa and Quebec.
But even before those incidents, Associated had hired security guards to monitor its facilities when the school year commenced in September.
“Everyone felt comfortable putting security guards in place given what took place in the summer” in Israel, Brodkin said.
The school’s security guards have been retained and parents may notice a greater police presence in the neighbourhood, plus visits to the school by uniformed officers, he added.
“As always, we ask parents to remain vigilant while on or near school premises and to report anything questionable to the school office,” Brodkin said in his message to parents.
