More than two dozen bus shelters in east London and Old East Village have been targeted by vandals over the past week.
Between last Thursday and Tuesday, the glass was smashed out of 25 bus shelters. Some were repaired only to have the glass re-smashed a day later.
"It is really disheartening. It is a huge number. This is not one person having a fit of rage over something and destroying one location, which would be bad enough. This was clearly a planned, targeted attack on these LTC structures," said Ward 2 Councillor Shawn Lewis, who was contacted about the vandalism by London Transit as the bulk of the damaged shelters are in his ward.
Damage from the repeated vandalism is pegged between $25,000 to $30,000. It's a substantial added cost to London Transit, which is already under exceptional financial strain after being unable to collect fares for five months due to COVID-19.
"Unfortunately, the decision has been made that we will not be repairing the shelters given that it is repeat destruction happening," said Lewis. "The LTC has its challenges right now with COVID, with getting barriers in for the drivers, returning to fares. We have been in a tough spot funding transportation to begin with, so we can't keep funding replacement shelter glass only to have it smashed the next day."
The decision to not repair the shelters will be reevaluated at a later date added Lewis.
London police are investigating the acts of vandalism and are turning to the public for help. They ask anyone with tips or surveillance camera footage of the destruction to call them at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
