KITCHENER, Ont. โ Waterloo Regional Police are investigating graffiti with antisemitic comments found on several Canada Post mailboxes in the Casey Drive area of Kitchener, the service said. Police received a report on August 14, 2025, at about 8:55 a.m. that the markings had been placed within the previous week.
The incident is being handled by WRPSโ General Investigations Unit and its Hate Crime Unit, the service said. Investigators have not released details about suspects or motives. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 519-570-9777. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
Local reporters confirmed the police news release and published images of the affected mailboxes. Media accounts said the graffiti contained explicitly antisemitic language.
The incident comes amid a broader rise in reported antisemitic incidents in Canada since October 7, 2023. Bโnai Brith Canada recorded 6,219 antisemitic incidents in 2024, its highest annual total since the organization began tracking incidents in 1982. โLessons that should have been learned after 2023 must be learned without further delay,โ Robertson of Bโnai Brith said in the organizationโs report.
Public Safety Canada and federal partners have said the escalation of antisemitic events is a national concern and have urged reporting and stronger community protections. A federal forum on combating antisemitism convened earlier in 2025 to coordinate responses.
Jewish organizations and community leaders typically urge prompt reporting of hate incidents and cooperation with police. Local Jewish groups had not published an immediate public statement on this specific incident at the time of reporting.
The Waterloo Regional Police Service said the investigation remains active and encouraged anyone with cameras or dashcam footage from the Casey Drive area during the past week to come forward. Police reiterated the contact numbers for tips.
This article is based on verified information from Waterloo Regional Police Service, CTV News, CityNews Kitchener, Bโnai Brith Canada, and Public Safety Canada.