Whitehorse RCMP are asking for the public’s help as they investigate vandalism to the rainbow pride crosswalk the city installed at Third Avenue and Main Street.

Black tire tread marks were left across the crosswalk, which was installed last week just before pride weekend.

Another crosswalk showing the blue, pink and white transgender flag just across the street from the rainbow sidewalk was also installed in the lead-up to the weekend events.

“We’ve opened a file,” RCMP spokeswoman Coralee Reid confirmed this morning.

While there’s not a lot of information available yet on the matter, she said, officers are hoping anyone who witnessed the incident will contact the Whitehorse detachment and provide information.

Mayor Dan Curtis said today he’s heard from many in the community expressing “anger, disappointment, disbelief” since the skid marks were purposely laid down.

Reports began circulating about a white pickup leaving the tread marks after doing a burnout on the crosswalk, then returning later to do the same in the other direction.

“It’s a senseless crime,” Curtis told the Star.

He also expressed his anger and disappointment over the incident. He noted his hope that the RCMP will be able to press charges in the matter.

The numerous calls he’s gotten from residents asking to help clean up the marks include one from Community Services Minister John Streicker.

The response has assured the mayor that overall, Whitehorse is a supportive community that celebrates diversity, and that those who commit such vandalism are a very small segment of the population.

Curtis said city staff are using the mechanized sweeper to try to get rid of the marks, though he noted some of the rubber is burned onto the road, damaging it.

After the marks are removed as much as possible, the strips will be repainted.

The incident, the mayor stressed, has emphasized the need to celebrate the city’s diversity.

Next year, he hopes the city will be able to feature the pride flag and trans flag across all four corners of Third and Main.

This year, the city wasn’t able to get the more permanent paint for the trans flag as for the pride flag, so it’s anticipated the pride flag will likely remain in place longer.

Next year, Curtis has been assured, the more permanent colours for both flags will be available for the crosswalks.

Meanwhile, the tire marks are drawing attention on social media.

Chase Blodgett, who heads up the All Genders Yukon group for those exploring gender identity and expression, tweeted: “RCMP investigating burnout. @YukonRCMP hope it’s being investigated as hate crime!”

A reply to Blodgett’s tweet highlighted a similar incident which happened to the transgender flag crosswalk in Lethbridge, Alta. earlier this week.