Hate crime probe launched by police after traffic confrontation

Calgary police have launched an investigation into an alleged hate crime in connection with an incident earlier this week in which she says a man yelled racial slurs at her.

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Hiba, who asked CBC News not to use her last name out of concern of being harassed, was dropping her child at school on Monday when there was confusion at a four-way stop.

Another motorist pulled up beside her SUV, spouting racist insults as he became increasingly violent.

"He starts punching the mirror. And then he starts punching the window. He was so aggressive,” said Hiba, who wears a hijab.

On Tuesday police said they had reviewed statements from both parties and concluded it was an incident of road rage that required no further investigation.

But late Wednesday police told Hiba the case will be re-examined as a possible hate crime.

"I can see a big difference now. They are being helpful. They are being supportive,” she said.

Insp. Mike Bossley said he could not comment on the specifics of the case. But he said police always take such incidents seriously.

"They can take that and look at it specifically from a hate perspective of whether or not that fits, or is just an angry incident between two people,” he said.

"We have a hate crimes coordinator who takes special training and has expertise in this specific area, because it is a very complex, difficult thing to work through from an investigative perspective.”

cbc.ca