Community Signs Vandalized Along Island Highway North in Nanaimo

Section 1: Community Safety Alert

The Nanaimo RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance after two community signs along Island Highway North in Nanaimo, British Columbia, were deliberately vandalized. Investigators believe the damage took place sometime between 6:00 p.m. on March 18, 2026, and 6:00 p.m. on March 19, 2026, and are now appealing for witnesses and video footage.

The vandalized signs were part of a federal petition organized by members of the Iranian community and were found spray painted black at two separate highway locations. The incident was reported to police on March 23, 2026, under Nanaimo file # 2026-8683. RCMP investigators are treating this as a targeted act of property damage and are urging anyone who was in the area during the relevant timeframe to come forward.

Section 2: Official Incident Details & Witness Appeal

According to the official information released by the Nanaimo RCMP, the vandalism occurred at the following locations along Island Highway North:

• Island Highway North at Departure Bay Road
• Island Highway North at Aulds Road

The damaged signs were associated with a federal petition initiated by community members from the Iranian diaspora. Both signs were discovered with black spray paint covering them. An example of the damage reported to police can be seen below:

Vandalized sign at Aulds Rd and HW 19A

The Nanaimo RCMP is specifically seeking:

• Witnesses who were travelling or walking near Island Highway North at Departure Bay Road or Island Highway North at Aulds Road between 6:00 p.m. March 18 and 6:00 p.m. March 19, 2026.
• Anyone who noticed people loitering around or tampering with the community petition signs during that period.
• Drivers with dash camera recordings covering either location during the noted timeframe.
• Residents or businesses with security cameras that may have captured the suspects or vehicles involved.

CrimeCanada Community Assistance Request: If you live, work, or travel through the Island Highway North corridor in Nanaimo, your information could be critical. Even details that seem minor—such as a suspicious vehicle parked near the signs or individuals seen carrying spray paint—may help investigators move this case forward.

How to Contact Police

Anyone with information related to this vandalism is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP directly at 250-754-2345. Please reference file # 2026-8683 when calling to ensure your information is linked to the correct investigation.

Section 3: CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, targeted damage to community and petition signage is more than simple property vandalism—it can have a chilling effect on public participation, especially for cultural and newcomer communities. While this incident occurred in Nanaimo, British Columbia, similar patterns of property crime and mischief are monitored in communities across the country, from small rural regions like Sundayman’s Meadow 3 in British Columbia — Crime Statistics & Safety Data to larger urban centres. Reporting suspicious behaviour quickly helps law enforcement map trends, identify repeat locations, and deter further acts that may escalate over time.

Residents are encouraged to regularly review the condition of community bulletin boards, petition signs, and cultural displays in their neighbourhoods, especially those along busy routes such as highway corridors. If you notice new graffiti, damaged signage, or people tampering with public displays, document what you see from a safe distance, note the time and location, and contact police. Coordinated community vigilance is a key part of CrimeCanada.ca’s broader mission to support safer, more inclusive public spaces throughout British Columbia and across Canada.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the british-columbia community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.