Graffiti vandal targets several local media outlets
A Nipawin-area artist has offered her services for free after several media outlets in Regina were spray-painted with the words “gangstalking human torture” overnight Tuesday.
The words were graffitied on the side of the building that houses the Regina Leader-post, as well as at CTV, Global, Big Dog Radio and Harvard Broadcasting.
April Griffin, who has been an artist for 30 years, says she will gladly travel to Regina to paint murals in order to cover up the graffiti. She first extended the offer in a comment on the Leader-post’s Facebook page late Tuesday morning, although by the afternoon, the paint on the Leader-post building had been removed.
“I don’t think you guys, or any of the media, should have to be dealing with this,” said Griffin. “This is not a good way to treat people or reporters or to get what we want.”
While the suspect and their motives have not been identified, Griffin says if the graffiti was an expression of disapproval towards media coverage, then utilizing comments sections or sending a letter are better ways to voice opinions.
“There’s a lot of different ways to express if you’re unhappy with the media,” she said.
The Regina Police Service received reports from several media outlets about the graffiti, spokesperson Elizabeth Popowich said Tuesday.
“It wouldn’t be a stretch to say we are proceeding on the suspicion that these are related,” she added.
In an emailed release, police later confirmed the incidents are believed to be connected. However, not all of the six known targets are buildings that house media outlets. It is possible there are other related incidents not yet reported to police.
The cases are being handled by the graffiti investigator who is requesting any video that may be available at these locations.
The Affinity Credit Union located at Scarth Street and 13th Avenue was also tagged.
The phrase “gangstalking ” refers to a phenomenon in which people claim they are victims of a vast surveillance network.
Popowich said there is no indication the graffiti incidents are related to a break-in at the CBC’S Regina headquarters the same morning.
“The incident at the building on 2440 Broad St. happened just after 5 a.m. CST, while a number of staff were preparing for radio broadcasts,” according to a CBC report.
A window was broken and studio cameras and a desk were knocked over by a suspect who was arrested on scene, said the CBC. Police confirmed no one was physically injured in the incident, but the suspect allegedly caused “significant damage” to equipment.
Later Tuesday, police announced charges of break and enter with intent to commit mischief over $5,000 had been laid against a 19-year-old man.
Police are continuing to gather information on the graffiti incidents in an attempt to identify a suspect.
Griffin reiterated her free mural offer in a personal Facebook post on Tuesday afternoon.
She can paint in a wide range of styles “from abstract to Bob Ross,” said her post.
She painted her latest mural at a new community park in the Village of Love, Sask. She can be found on Facebook under the name April Dawn Griffin.