Trees destroyed by suspected vandalism in Thunder Bay

Business owners on Thunder Bay’s north side will have to pay thousands of dollars to replace some trees they believe were deliberately destroyed.

Jim Comuzzi, vice-chair of the Waterfront District BIA, said it looks like a vehicle intentionally drove into the trees, which were only planted two years ago on St. Paul Street.

“We try not to let these foolish people really get to us,” Comuzzi said. “We put a lot of time and effort into the beautification of our downtown core, and you know, some drunk people at 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning have nothing better to do.”

Comuzzi said there are no security cameras in that part of the downtown core, but he expects at least three business owners will set up cameras as a result of the recent vandalism.

"We will not let anything like that deter us,” he said. “We'll provide more security...We can monitor our own street and hopefully assist (in deterring) further vandalism."

"Maybe it is time for us to do our own policing on this issue," Comuzzi added.