THUNDER BAY – Crimebeat – Editorial – Cold weather didn’t slow down criminals who smashed the window of a vehicle in the downtown Fort William core on Friday. This image of the smashed window, the broken glass in the car, is from a crime that happened in broad daylight. The image was placed on Facebook.
The comments from fellow Thunder Bay residents explain perhaps more clearly the continuing problem of crime in our city than anything else.
Albert commented, “Its been happening not just downtown its happening all around the city and until the police and the mayor dont do something then its going to continue”. Kristen wrote, “My god that’s terrible….. So much for them trying to improve our city…”
Sandra posted, “Town hall meeting…and everyone should speak up…the truth may hurt…but facts are facts…so sad!” Kelley added, speaking of the police, “They keep getting pay increases and my car has broken into 7 times this year. You wouldn’t see a police in my neighbourhood at night EVER!”
An out of town viewer of the image stated, “That disgusts me!! Get a hold of your City Thunder Bay!!!”
Over the past two weeks, as the graphic from Crimemapping shows, there have been a number of crimes in the downtown southward. Visit the Crimemapping page, you can select what types of crimes, and what date range of criminal activity you want to investigate. You can view crime reports, provided by the City of Thunder Bay Police Service, from across the city. On the Crimemap, you can get some of the basic details of crimes in our city. Details not usually reported otherwise in our community.
Solving the problem of crime in Thunder Bay is a task that involves our federal, provincial and municipal governments, our police service, the media, and most importantly you.
Really solving the problem is likely to take many people outside of their normal comfort zone. Many likely will have to gather information, put aside ages old stereotypes, and embrace change.
Your first steps are simple.
Take the time needed to let your elected representatives, and appointed representatives know what you want done. That starts with Bruce Hyer and John Raffety at the federal level.
Then it continues with Michael Gravelle and Bill Mauro our provincial representatives.
Next it is our Mayor and City Councillors who need to know what you want done.
Finally it is the Thunder Bay Police Services Board. That Board are the civilian trustees of the public interest as it pertains to police services in our city. The Thunder Bay Police Services Board can be reached through the City Clerk’s Office: (807) 625-2230 or by emailing
Changing the system and taking back our Thunder Bay means that instead of simply complaining to your friends and family, that you have some real work ahead. As the citizens of Thunder Bay, you are going to have to take some of your time, and contact the people who you have selected to represent you, and share with them what you want them to do.
It is democracy at its finest. And together, with all of our fine elected representatives we can take the steps needed to ensure that Thunder Bay is a better place for all of us to live.
Can we do it?
To borrow a phrase from President Obama in the United States, “Yes we can!”
James Murray
Chief Content Officer