New cenotaph vandalized

[attach]5121[/attach]Less than 24 hours after the newly restored war memorial at [url=http://www.mytowncrier.ca/remembering-anew.html]Malvern Collegiate Institute was unveiled[/url], it was vandalized.

The cenotaph, originally created in 1922 by sculptor Emanuel Hahn, was wrapped in blue duct tape and had three letters knocked off the monument. They will cost roughly $2,000 to replace.

The Malvern Memorial was built to honour 25 former students who lost their lives in the First World War. Over the years, it suffered from the effects of vandalism and the elements and needed a new hand and sword. It took years and approximately $44,000 to restore.

Ward 16 Toronto District School Board trustee Sheila Cary-Meagher said she was annoyed and angry when she found out about the vandalism.

“It was quite clear it was calculated,” she said. “These kids weren’t drunk, they weren’t on drugs, they were just doing something mean-spirited.”

Police say four people defaced the war memorial on Nov. 5 at approximately 12:50 a.m. One of the males climbed the cenotaph and wrapped it in blue tape. The suspects can be seen taking pictures with their cellphones during the act.

Police have not yet identified the suspects.

The duct tape has since been removed. A local parent had brought a ladder to the school to remove the tape, but was advised to leave it to the professionals so as to not cause any further damage.

The school is working to install additional lighting and cameras at the front of the school. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact police at 416-222-TIPS (8477).