The former NDP MP for Essex is calling racist graffiti in Lakeshore, "disgusting."
Tracey Ramsey is describing graffiti left on a pathway in the town between the St. Anne's High School and St. William Elementary School.
While the spray paint has been cleaned up, Ramsey would like to see Lakeshore step up with an improved anti-racism policy.
"Certainly I think it's important to have policies at the municipal level that are really addressing anti-racism,” says Ramsey. “When you start to look and dig up what other municipalities have done, it seems as though we're just at the beginning of this conversation."
She says Lakeshore can be a leader when it comes to fighting racism.
"I do think there needs to be a very strong response, but I think at this moment in time, given Black Lives Matter and the conversations that we've been having across our country and how this happening in our own community, there really is a need for municipalities to go further."
Ramsey says it's all about being proactive.
"I think it's a moment in time for the council to look at what they can do proactively to be out there as champions of anti-racism, not just responding to it when we see it happening," she says.
Lakeshore mayor Tom Bain has also denounced the graffiti stating there is “zero-tolerance for racism in the municipality.”
According to police, the incident occurred in the overnight hours between Sunday, July 5 and Monday, July 6.
OPP continue to investigate and are asking anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
— With files from AM800's Rob Hindi