Residents in Cape Breton’s Sydney River want the vulgarities speared across a train trestle removed.
The bridge has been defaced with large, highly-visible swear words. Students at Riverview High School are calling it disappointing, as painting on the trestle is a rite of passage for many.
"It's just ruining the fun for the rest of us," said student Brogan Tomas.
"When we're in Grade 12, we can't paint it if they keep doing that," said student Dakota Lahey.
It’s a sentiment echoed by adults, as well.
"They don't need to do that,” said parent Evelyn Reid. “They're ruining it on the rest of the kids. The kids are doing it to have fun and to express themselves."
The Department of Transportation has since painted over the vulgar language on the trestle, which is owned by the Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia railway.
There has previously been debate over whether students should be painting the trestle at all.
"That's been going on since I was in high school at Riverview,” said resident Brad MacSween. “If it's kept clean, I think it should be done."
Others feel those responsible for the trestle should have gotten rid of the foul language more quickly. It's a high-traffic area, with an elementary school and an after-school judo program just kilometres down the road.
Cape Breton Regional Police have vowed to crack down on graffiti, which was successful until recently. They say it generally isn’t an issue for police, unless something is illegal or unsafe.
"That could be enforcing any kind of criminal behaviour, like public intoxication or mischief, or, under the property act, for trespassing on the railway," said Desiree Vassallo, spokesperson for Cape Breton Regional Police
Meanwhile, students who use the trestle hope incidents like this don't paint everyone with the same brush.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ryan MacDonald.
