No criminal charges for women who defaced ‘Recall Gondek’ sign: CPS

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Two Calgary women who defaced a roadside sign promoting the petition to recall Mayor Jyoti Gondek won’t face criminal charges, and will instead have to participate in an alternative measures program intended for adult first-time offenders.

The two women partially altered a “Recall Gondek” billboard along Parkdale Boulevard N.W. to read “Respect Gondek” on March 19. They also painted over a reference to the recall petition’s website at the bottom of the sign.

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A passerby captured the incident on video and posted it to social media, sparking a flurry of responses, including many comments calling for the women to be charged.

“You’re absolutely despicable, both of you,” said the man who filmed the women as they painted the sign. “You should be thrown in jail for this.”

The incident was reported as a property damage complaint to the Calgary Police Service, whose investigation concluded the women would not face any charges.

“Following our investigation, the suspects involved in the property damage incident have come forward to police,” CPS told Postmedia on Thursday.

As a result, CPS stated the individuals were not charged criminally and have instead been diverted to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service’s adult alternative measures program.

According to Oullette, Hoare and Claxton Calgary Criminal Lawyers, the adult alternative measures program is intended for Albertans charged with minor offenses who have either no prior criminal record or little experience with the justice system.

Those who complete the program, which may include some form of community service, donation, or participation in a restorative justice program, have their charges withdrawn and their criminal record expunged.

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‘I definitely believe in consequences’

Karen Motyka, one of the two women who painted over the sign, said she accepts the outcome of CPS’ investigation.

“I definitely believe in consequences,” she said.

“I think that the due diligence from the police was correct and I just hope as a result of all this, people start having conversations with each other to try to figure out the right way forward in society.”

Motyka said she and Carolyn Pogue decided to paint the sign to protest the “craziness” of the recall petition and show support for Gondek.

She added she regrets defacing the billboard, due to the vitriol she and Pogue received afterward.

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“I never expected to be so bullied and treated like I had created some heinous act against society,” she said. “The intention was all about creating respect in conversations.”

Signs removed for violating city’s bylaws

While business owner Landon Johnston launched the petition to recall the mayor, the Recall Gondek signs that were set up around Calgary earlier this month were paid for and installed by Project YYC — a group of conservative advocates operating in support of Johnston’s campaign.

Last weekend, the City of Calgary stated the billboards would be removed for violating the municipality’s Temporary Signs on Highways Bylaw.

“We are aware of a number of signs placed by Project YYC that are not in compliance with the bylaw due to size or location and have either been removed or will be scheduled for removal as they are reported as part of our standard processes,” the city stated.

Roy Beyer, a director and spokesperson for Project YYC, said allowing vandalism of the group’s signs to go unpunished will only encourage similar acts.

He also accused CPS of delaying the investigation into the incident for eight days.

“The needless delay encouraged further vandalism and fueled speculation of political interference from within the city’s institutions,” he said in a Project YYC news release.

“These acts of vandalism were not only harmful to Mr. Johnston and the Calgarian recall supporters that donated time or money to express their views, the vandalism was harmful to all Calgarians who wish to express their political opinions free from the intimidation of vandalism.”

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