Vandals Cut Brake Lines Of Liberal Supporters In TorontoSunday October 5, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff
Imagine yourself behind the wheel, pulling up to a stop sign and pumping the brakes, only to find that your car isn't stopping.
That's what happened to more than a dozen Liberal supporters in Toronto, voters who had their brake lines cut in what police think may have been a targeted assault.
"I could've been killed. Lots of other people could've been killed," one of the affected residents, Andrew Laine, said. "It was lucky my two children weren't in the car at the time. This is really serious."
The attack drew a quick response from Liberal leader Stephane Dion.
"There is no place for these types of dangerous and reckless intimidation tactics in our democracy," he fumed in a press release.
The vandalism occurred in two ridings: Parkdale-High Park, where Gerard Kennedy is the Liberal candidate, and the midtown riding of St Paul's, where Carolyn Bennett is the incumbent. Cops allege only homes that had Liberal signs were attacked.
"These acts are deeply disturbing," Kennedy said in a statement. "We're asking residents to take extra precautions to ensure their personal safety and report to the local police any suspicious behaviour in the community.
Some cars had the letter "L" scratched into the paint.
Other residents reported having their phone lines cut, graffiti spray-painted on their homes, and damaged lawn signs. Some of the graffiti targeted federal Liberal candidate Bob Rae and provincial Premier Dalton McGuinty.
"This has escalated to the fact that someone could have been killed," Bennett told CityNews.
The campaign left recorded voice messages with their supporters, warning them of the vandalism.
Bennett also asked that anyone with information should contact her campaign office, or the police.
"This kind of voter intimidation is not just criminal, it undermines the very democratic processes that citizens are trying to strengthen in Canada," Bennett noted in a press release. "I call upon the perpetrators to stop endangering our community immediately."
Other candidates in the St. Paul's riding, including Conservative candidate Heather Jewell, were equally upset.
"It's just terrible news, is the first reaction, and shock," Jewell said.
And NDP campaign manager Marcia McVea added, "We'll do everything we can to assist in any activities the police might require."
There will be additional police patrols in the affected areas overnight.
If you saw anything, call police at 416-808-5300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).
