ST. THOMAS, Ont. โ Two people living on the outskirts of St. Thomas have been charged after a neighbour reported a large Nazi swastika had been mowed into the front lawn of a Central Elgin residence, police and local media said.
Elgin OPP executed a search warrant at a home on Centennial Avenue after receiving complaints. Officers charged 37-year-old Timothy Vansickle and 40-year-old Julia Majkutewicz with several Criminal Code offences, including criminal harassment, beset and watch, criminal harassment, repeatedly communicate, public incitement of hatred, and two counts of mischief. The accused were held for bail and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Thomas.
Local reports stated that the symbol covered much of the lawn and was visible from the roadway, prompting alarm among neighbors and calls for police action. Several residents told local outlets they felt unsafe and said the display was particularly threatening to Jewish neighbours, given the swastikaโs historical meaning.
In a media release, the OPP said it had received complaints and was investigating. The statement underlined the forceโs commitment to the safety and well-being of all individuals and emphasized that hate has no place in Ontario communities. Central Elginโs mayor declined to comment to the media, according to local reports.
The incident comes against a wider backdrop of concern about rising antisemitic incidents in Canada in recent years. National audits and police-reported data show an increase in incidents motivated by religion and ethnicity, prompting Jewish advocacy groups and community leaders to urge vigilance and stronger protections for schools, synagogues, and other communal institutions.
Community agencies and Jewish organizations historically call for thorough investigations and swift enforcement when hate symbols are displayed publicly. Local leaders stated that they expect continued police follow-up and emphasized the need for municipal and provincial partners to help ensure the safety of vulnerable community members.
This article is based on verified information from 94.1 myFM / St. Thomas Today, St. Thomas Today, Bโnai Brith Canada, Statistics Canada, and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.