Racists in the Vancouver Island community of Saanich or from the greater Victoria area are making life hell for an Indo-Canadian family with racist notes and threats on their lives. Members of a Sikh-Canadian family in Saanich say they are terrified for their safety after a series of racist and threatening notes have been left overnight on their vehicles since January. An earlier note said “your kind is not welcome here” and was accompanied by a cross with a blood drop, believed to be a symbol of the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan. Another used the n-word.

SAANICH – Racists in the Vancouver Island community of Saanich or from the greater Victoria area are making life hell for an Indo-Canadian family with racist notes and threats on their lives. 

Members of a Sikh-Canadian family in Saanich say they are terrified for their safety after a series of racist and threatening notes have been left overnight on their vehicles since January.

More notes were discovered more than a week ago, one warning “I’m watchin you” and “WP,” which sometimes stands for “white power.”

An earlier note said “your kind is not welcome here” and was accompanied by a cross with a blood drop, believed to be a symbol of the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan. Another used the n-word, reported Victoria Times Colonist.

“When I pulled the note it said ‘This is your last Valentine, N-word, boy,’” said an adult daughter in the family, which includes two elderly parents.

She went inside, woke up her brother, and told him they had received another message.

“In that instance, I thought ‘OK, someone followed him home to see where we live to leave these notes for him to see.”

She said the family is extremely concerned and they notified the police again.

They were told they need to have a security plan in place, which they have now done. They upgraded their security cameras, made the lights brighter outside and purchased bear spray. They have also outlined a plan so they know where everyone is and when they are coming home.

When officers were at the home, the sister said they actually found another note that stated ‘I’m watching you boy, wp’, which she assumed means ‘white power.’

“Last night, my mother could barely sleep and everyone was staying up and taking turns and looking outside the house … The point we are at now is everyone is living in paranoia and fear,” she said.

Family members now don’t want to leave home because they’re afraid someone will do something, she said Friday.

The youngest family member, who is 23, found the first note on his vehicle after visiting a friend elsewhere in Greater Victoria.

The family thinks he must have been followed to the Saanich house because that’s where subsequent notes have been left, including on their mother’s vehicle.

The daughter said family members don’t go anywhere alone anymore and when someone is out of the house, they send frequent text messages back and forth to check on that person’s safety and whereabouts.

This sort of aggression is shocking, the woman said. “We’ve been in this community our whole lives. We’ve never had issues with anybody ever.

“We are Canadian.

“You would think it wouldn’t happen in this day and age.”

Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes said he was shocked and ­dismayed to hear about the notes. “I hope that the ­investigation identifies who may be involved and that the ­individuals can get the help that I believe they need to understand the importance of tolerance and compassion and inclusivity for all residents of Saanich and in fact residents of Canada and around the world.”

The family decided to make the situation public by turning to the news media in hopes of bringing an end to the notes.

“We didn’t want to talk about it — we hoped that it would just go away, but it’s not,” the woman said.

Letters have been given to neighbours explaining what has been happening. A lot of neighbours have come over and offered their support, she said.

Saanich police are investigating. They collected the notes and provided a safety plan to the family.

An officer is actively working on the file, said Const. Marcus Anastasiades.

“We are taking this very ­seriously,” he said, noting that under the Criminal Code, ­leaving such messages is considered promoting hatred, a criminal offence.

Anastasiades said some messages appear to be threatening. “Those are the ones that cause us concern.”

There is no place for hate in the community and every person in Saanich has a right to feel safe, he said, reported Victoria Times Colonist.

Courtesy Victoria Times Colonist