At least 25 locations in Okotoks have been subject to racist, derogatory and inappropriate graffiti in the last week, according to municipal enforcement.
Witnesses have consistently identified the suspects as two girls and one boy, aged 12-16.
Law enforcement is hoping parents and members of the community can help identify the serial vandals who have caused substantial damage throughout town.
"This one trio is not doing tags or graffiti, they're just being vandals, drawing inappropriate objects on playgrounds, public property of all sorts," said Okotoks Peace Officer Trevor LaDuke. "And lots of private properties are being targeted as well, such as our churches – it's all derogatory language, racial slurs."
Between Aug. 7 at 11 p.m. and Aug. 8 at 4 a.m. the BMX park, the pathway system, the bridge from the Lion's Park Campground to Woodhaven Drive, the bridge by the Arts and Learning Centre and the natural playground at Sandstone Gate and Sandstone Drive were all vandalized.
New targets were defaced on Aug. 10, including the Okotoks Recreation Centre, the skate park and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Bannister Drive, which was tagged with pentagrams and other remarks including "Go to hell."
The playground at Westfall Green, property in Drake Landing View and Beatrice Wyndham Park were also damaged.
"It's really bad," said LaDuke.
He added that every instance in the last week has been done in the same font and drawings, all using fuchsia and black spray paint.
Every act also seems to have occurred after midnight.
Any words, symbols or figures that scratched, stuck or painted on a surface are considered vandalism and is a violation of the community standards bylaw. Conviction for adults is $2,500 per offence and conviction for youth is $1,000 per offence. One doesn't have to be caught in the act to be convicted and multiple offences can result in multiple charges.
However, LaDuke said this level of vandalism warrants charges outside the scope of the Town's bylaw.
"At this point, this group of three, the amount of vandalism they're causing, we're getting past the point of doing a bylaw fine," he said.
"We're doing criminal mischief [charges] now."
Anyone who suspects they may have information regarding these crimes is asked to call the 24-hour municipal enforcement complaint line at 403-938-8913.
