Wayne Toyota
Hockey Pick 'Em

Sunset Memorial Gardens
Stride Orthopaedics & Footwear
Chainsaw Centre and Equipment
News
Click here to see more
Subscribe
Community Calendar
Click here for full listings.
Poll
A major conference on Bio-energy has wrapped up in the city. Do you think this is a viable option for jump starting the forest economy?



Total Votes: 8
View Results Past Polls
Survey
Surveys are not available.
Email
2012-02-20 at 21:25

Woman robbed, punched outside Hedley concert

By Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch staff
Need a repair in a hurry?MINUTE MUFFLER has 8 service bays and specialize in Heavy Duty and Performance exhaust systems. Not just mufflers. Call 345-3441Click here for details.


Hedley proved dangerous to a woman dropping her children off at the  Canadian band's scheduled Thunder Bay concert.

According to police the woman escorted her kids to the Fort William Gardens show and was returning to her vehicle when she was accosted, punched in the face and had her purse stolen.

Police are seeking two Native Canadian males who fled the scene on foot.

Click here to submit a letter to the editor.

Click here to report a typo or error

Tbnewswatch.com(64)

Comments

We've improved our comment system.
Mrbusinessman says:
There should be more police patrols in the area of the gardens before, during and after events such as concerts and hockey games!! It's a no brainer considering the crime rates in the area.
2/20/2012 9:33:29 PM
yer joking says:
Citizen Patrols. Surround the baddies, take their pictures smother them with niceness until the police Arrive and then off to the Hoosegow you bad person. Then Public Flogging to impress upon them the good of being a Law abiding person.
2/21/2012 9:33:37 AM
panzerIV says:
Takes big people to fight with knives, guns, weapons and takes even bigger people to fight in a group. All this to get a fix, sad really.
2/20/2012 9:36:52 PM
TBayBuddha says:
This is so horrible... Thank god all they did was steal her purse... My best wishes, hope you're ok and recovering safely.

Come on Thunder Bay, Macs are constantly being robbed, and people can't even walk back to their vehicles without being beaten and mugged... What the hell is going on in this town... :(

2/20/2012 10:05:04 PM
Disgusted says:
Why am I surprised at this cowardly act of violence against this poor woman? It seems to me every time I read the paper or hear the news its the same thing over and over again. It's no wonder that people are moving away.....it's getting way too dangerous to live here.
2/20/2012 10:33:39 PM
Random says:
Would love to comment indepth on this one, but alas, it would never get posted.
2/21/2012 12:02:51 AM
getgoing says:
Why is this city becoming so barbaric?? A mother trying to escort her kids safely out for an evening? Sadly, surprised....(but given the way the robberies have increased), not shocked...
2/21/2012 12:04:44 AM
Sui Generis says:
As horrific as these events are, I do wish people would stop with the 'what's going on in this town' rhetoric. If you think it's so much safer elsewhere, you're mistaken. This isn't a Thunder Bay problem. This is a problem everywhere. Period.
2/21/2012 12:12:08 AM
Dontlistentome says:
Well said - this is a growing problem everywhere. Funny thing about most thunder bay people is that they have barely ever left tbay and have no clue what is like everywhere else. Most go to Toronto or Minneapolis once and think they are world travelers - most complainers here think a weekend in Atikokan counts as travel.

I do hope this victim finds closure on this somehow - that whole area seems filled with cowards and junkies. Doesn't say much when it takes 2 street urchins to steal a woman's purse.
2/21/2012 7:38:22 AM
emma says:
First, Thunder Bay's murder rate per capita is worse than other cities'. So while this does happen everywhere, crime is a bit more common in Thunder Bay.

Secondly, I am a world traveller. Are you trying to tell me that walking downtown in the old city centres of Europe is more dangerous than taking a walk down Simpson Street at night? Maybe you're talking about Iraq.
2/21/2012 8:13:59 AM
dontlistentome says:
Really? - the "thunder bay's muder rate is blah blah blah" argument. This statistic, while unfortunate, DOES NOT speak to the crime rates in Thunder Bay vs. almost everywhere else. Do we have plenty of reported crimes here in Thunder Bay? - you bet we do. Is it increasing at a greater rate than other places? - sure it probably is. The real point, has less to do with this and more to do with people not realizing that crime - is on the rise EVERYWHERE - not just here. It is indicitive of bigger social issues. On here, everyone blames the Police, the Mayor, MAC's, whoever - it's just a very microscopic view of the changes being seen everywhere.

So sure, Emma, a leisurely stroll through the shopping district of Toulouse may not net you a mugging - but don't be too optimistic - most European, Asian and South American countries DO NOT report crime statistics - it hurts their tourism too much.

This is a shocking crime - that hopefully does not go unanswered.
2/21/2012 2:05:17 PM
nads74 says:
I totally disagree, there is a reason we are labelled as one of the worst places for certain crimes...because it happens here A LOT!!

This city and its crimes are getting out of hand. And we all know what it boils down too.

Will the stopping of production of the regular oxy help this...I'm gonna say "NO" they will figure out some sorta way to get their fix.

THE ONLY reason I'm staying in this city is because by total fluk, my husband and I have decent jobs. (which is rare)....otherwise I'd be out of this hole (a place I was born and raised and loved my whole life).
2/21/2012 9:14:32 AM
woggy says:
The streets are NOT safe...
2/21/2012 12:32:42 AM
yer joking says:
and the sky is falling!
2/21/2012 9:26:43 AM
Hardrawkin says:
No Respect for anything, that is the problem.
2/21/2012 6:35:29 AM
baffled_in_the_bay says:
@Sui
Being at the top of the list in Maclean's is No rhetoric.Open your eyes. It is so much worse than you think.The only thing we hear about is the crimes that are reported be the police or the victim and so much goes unreported. You must live beside our retired police chief :(
2/21/2012 7:29:30 AM
dontlistentome says:
Why is it people can't click the " reply to this comment " link so your ridiculous comments will thread properly. The "@some comment 5 comments ago" is not easy to follow. Does your Compy386 not display web links on its 'black and green' 10 inch screen?
2/21/2012 8:22:39 AM
Sui Generis says:
Your assumption about me is as baseless as your assumption about this city being worse than any other.

No, baffled. I don't live in a high class, what is crime neighborhood. I live in downtown Fort William, right in the midst of the worst area of the city. I'm well aware of the state of Thunder Bay, and my eyes are open.

I have ALSO lived in other cities. And they are no different.

McLeans? Why are we discussing the murder rates when discussing a robbery? But, if you want to discuss McLeans, then Winnipeg tops the list for robberies. Prince George, BC is the murder capital, while in Belleville, Ontario you're most likely to have your home broken into. If you're in Saint John, NB, you're more likely to be sexually assaulted, and Saskatoon tops the list for aggravated assault.

Thank you for proving my point exactly.
2/21/2012 10:05:08 AM
savetbay says:
I believe this is mostly a tbay thing. I have lived in large cities all across Canada in the past 6 years and the crime here is worse per capita than all of them. The drug and alcohol problems in this city are disgusting and the amount of crime in unbearable. I think I yelled at the tv last night when I heard about this. A mother is just doing her best to keep her kids safe and isnt safe herself. Please Mr. Police Chief, get more of your men and women out on foot patrol in these high crime areas!
2/21/2012 8:49:07 AM
philip says:
Whats going on? We can't drive from one end of the town without getting stopped by police asking us where we are going and if we have our seatbelts on. Meanwhile, parasites roam freely on our streets beating and robbing our women. Drugs flow freely in our highschools. How about we focus on cleaning the trash from our city and leave the responsible taxpayers alone.
2/21/2012 9:07:15 AM
imchino says:
The police are cherry-picking the crimes that won't get their hand dirty. Lazy....sad...pathetic.
(Sidenote: I just found out about a city officer who is doing AND selling illegal steroids to people I know. So how can I have any respect for these public servants when they break the law more often than the average person?) Off-topic, but absolutly true.
2/21/2012 11:55:25 AM
theonlyopinionthatmatters says:
@imchino

SO TRUE. I cant tell you how many times I've seen a cruiser parked in a driveway down the street from my house.
2/21/2012 3:14:03 PM
Random says:
Wow imchino, sounds like the making of a huge news scoop for you. You crack the story about police picking and choosing what they enforce, followed up by a whopper of a scandle about steroid sales.
I know you are going to post your facts on this, so I sit eagerly awaiting your proof on both. I mean, you certainly wouldn't b.s us, and end up looking like a fool for making stuff up, right? Credibility at stake here.
So, please indulge me, and show me some proof.
Oh...I forgot the part about them breaking the law more then the average person bit, so, THREE sets of facts and proof!! Let er rip imchino!!!!
2/21/2012 3:27:38 PM
baor says:
Kudos Ramdom, but I should warn you, IMCHINO is one of the trolls here and has the pulse of the city at hand. You WILL have a lonnnng wait.
2/21/2012 5:58:32 PM
theonlyopinionthatmatters says:
Its the new age of "police" officers. There afraid of getting there hands dirty with situations like that. Being a police officer used to be for prideful people who cared about its community, now its just officers trying to finish a shift doing as least as possible. Trying to arrest these scum bags would require some sort of chase and confrontation, why bother when they can just park there car at some yield on the expressway and do a seatbelt check and bother people who actually contribute to the community.
2/22/2012 10:14:22 AM
theonlyopinionthatmatters says:
Carry a weapon people, my blade is on me at all times when walking in this city, especially the downtown cores. Its so sad that these scumbags target the weak. They'll need to build a tim hortons closer to the gardens for patrols to increase.
2/21/2012 9:18:26 AM
rootbear says:
Bear repellent too, we need to proact and not react!
2/21/2012 11:03:37 AM
michaelnigharvey says:
when we actually catch one of the criminals, our system then basically sets them free. perhaps it's time for the victims of repeat offenders to SUE the government. Simple standard of harm test. If the criminal likely to re offend, then why let them out on us?
2/21/2012 9:23:05 AM
homelessteen says:
More future work for probation officers, if the perpetrators even get caught.
Too bad there are not more details.
How was she approached? Did they ask for spare change, maybe a light for a smoke or a spare cigarette? Did they just walk up and assault her?
Never stop walking when asked for anything. If you are not prepared for confrontation simply apologize for not having what they asked for and keep walking. This approach will not end all situations like this, but may keep some of you safe from situations like this. Not everyone looking for spare change or charity is a mugger unfortunately the guise of charity is a popular tactic for would be attackers.
I am not suggesting this is the ladies fault only that her kindness may have been the opportunity these cowardly punks were looking for.
2/21/2012 9:31:50 AM
flanked says:
this type of stuff never happened here since oxcontin arrived....
who's the real culprits here??
wake up people.
2/21/2012 10:18:11 AM
DougMyers says:
I can't even understand what your comment is saying?

To read it as it is you are saying that this kind of crime has not happened since the arrival of oxy.

What are you even trying to say?
2/21/2012 11:00:31 AM
knotty12121 says:
I moved to Toronto a couple years ago but still read the news since I do have family there. I feel a lot safer here then I would there
2/21/2012 10:19:13 AM
combatwombat says:
The makers of oxy's is changing the formula, so pills cant be crushed and shot up, there will be alot of addicts freaking out the next year.
And not only is this is worrisome, now people are being stabbed and accosted for money out on the streets.
First it was the Macs "free money" Marts, they have tightened things up a bit and viola, now it is spilling onto the streets.
Pizza deliveries getting rolled , joggers on sunday mornings around intercity( that one as far as I know never made the press) or just people plain walking around.
There is a demographic involved here, one that has addiction and poverty associated with it.
We all know its an "elephant in the room" issue , an elephant nobody wants to point fingers at, for fear of themselves being labelled :racist.
Its time for open tough talk.
And people on these boards wonder why the police services are over budget! I think it is obvious, to SIMPLY protect the law abiding public.And they are being stretched
2/21/2012 10:54:52 AM
Random says:
You hit the nail right on the head.
2/21/2012 6:06:41 PM
anarnosti says:
unfortunatly its starting to look like we as citizens need to take things into our own hands instead of waiting for the police to catch these jerks. 9 times out of 10 they are long gone by the time the cops show up.
2/21/2012 11:09:19 AM
nwo says:
Thunder Bay and area needs a major detox centre - huge detox/rehabilitation centre to help cope with these problems.
2/21/2012 11:19:24 AM
ring of fire dude says:
ThunderBay is a detox center , only problem is the junkies are skipping class .
2/21/2012 8:00:07 PM
halfnut says:
all i have to say is this young offenders act get rid of it and some of the problems will go away
2/21/2012 11:32:37 AM
westfort resident says:
Anybody else agree that the city's crime prevention committee is useless? All in favour, say "Aye".
2/21/2012 11:54:50 AM
animiki says:
Crime is definitely a serious problem in Thunder Bay, no doubt. But it's hardly the "worst" in comparison with many cities. I had my car broken into in Winnipeg, in the parking lot of a busy restaurant at 9 p.m. I had prescription medication stolen from my hotel room in Edmonton. I had to drive a detour in Calgary in the middle of a weekday afternoon because there'd been a shooting and there was a body in the middle of a major street. And it's hardly just Canadian--I've been threatened and faced with attempted muggings in Seattle nad Houston, I was chased by a gang of young men brandishing pieces of lumber in Zurich, Switzerland, because I spoke English, I watched a robbery go down out the window of my taxi in Paris, I came on the aftermath of an assault in Zagreb, Croatia. So, yes, we have a problem, and need to deal with it. But let's not get buried in hysterics over this.
2/21/2012 12:18:21 PM
Familyman says:
Hey Mayor Hobbs....
Before you became Mayor you said that your main concern if elected was for public safety & that you were going to prevent & reduce crime....Just wondering when you were going to get on that !!!! Typical Politics....Just feed us with lies. Thanks! And if you see me with a bat attached to my baby stroller & bear mase, don't worry I'm just going to play baseball out in the country. If our City Police & Council are not going to do anything to protect the families of Thunder Bay I think its time we protect & take matters into our own hands. They think The new Waterfront will be good for our economy but whos gonna want to come to this city if our crime rate & reputation keeps taking a shit. Come On People...Speak Up !!!!
2/21/2012 12:24:31 PM
mad dog says:
the police services board needs to chew out a piece of the police chiefs ass and tell him the status quo is not working. it's time to change things up.

Only problem is the police services board is a big part of the problem. this city would be better off if certain members of the police services board handed in their resignations, no longer having a seat as useless board members.

Mad Dog Out
2/21/2012 12:40:43 PM
realist says:
I'd love to speak up, but I doubt my comments would see the light of day.
2/21/2012 2:32:26 PM
jwo2854 says:
If we down play these incidents and say we're no worse off than anywhere else, it just an exuse to ignore the problem. Seems to be the case with those who have been hired to make this city a better place to live.
Millions have been spent on projects which
were meant to improve the quality of life here.
So, why are the citizens so unhappy.
2/21/2012 12:45:06 PM
keiths31 says:
Would this have happened if the concert was at the Auditorium where the parking lot is wide open and well lit? Event centres downtown, with long walks to your car on darkened streets with no one around is a perfect situation for something like this to happen. Maybe building a new arena/complex in Innova Park isn't such a bad idea after all...
2/21/2012 12:46:23 PM
today says:
To all that are basiclly saying, it's worse elsewhere. Are you saying that we should be thankful that our crime rate is lower, and get used to it. No/less crime, should be the target, as is the reason why most have posted here. That kind of thinking, is what I would expect to hear from City Administration.
2/21/2012 1:00:49 PM
animiki says:
No. This isn't either/or. The point is that false dichotomies, as they're called (it's either A or B) aren't useful. Yes, there is a problem and it needs to be addressed. There needs to be better and more efficient policing, better enforcement of existing laws, more effective use made of the penal system, more community involvement in law enforcement, more efficient and effective social services to address the basic causes of crime, more community support for those who need it, more effective economic development to create jobs, etc, etc. In other words, there needs to be a whole suite of integrated things done in Thunder Bay to address the issue of street crime.

What we DON'T need are hysterical rants saying crime is out of control (it's not), that it's safer to be anywhere else and leave Thunder Bay (it isn't), that the community is on the verge of collapse (it's not)--or that there's no problem and nothing needs to be done (la, la, la, la). The RIGHT things need to be done.
2/21/2012 5:54:42 PM
ohno says:
Funny how some of you let a handful of idiots ruin your whole perception of Thunder Bay.

Time to cut those eye on the sky cameras from the budget as they are useless.
2/21/2012 1:09:49 PM
yer joking says:
You talkin' bout City Council?
2/22/2012 9:41:35 AM
senton says:
This city is getting way out of hand when it comes to crimes like these.

I work late at night going from building to building and am always watching my back and taking a good look around my surroundings.

I really do not feel particularly safe and even when i see anyone simply walking down the street I am wary and prepare myself in the event that something happens. It seems almost inevitable that i may find myself in a situation at some point.

All this, and I am a big guy- 6 feet 250 lbs.

You know something is wrong when someone like me doesnt feel safe - i can just imagine what more likely targets would feel.

It is coming to the point where I feel I should have something with me at all times to protect myself in the event that someone tries something.

I implore the city and police department to do something more to make this city safe.
Obviously what is being done now is simply not working.
2/21/2012 1:35:12 PM
luckycanuck says:
We have those events here in Little Rock, but the thugs think twice before committing personal crime in a busy area. Some legally armed citizen with a concealed carry permit is going to blow his brains out. It's time for some discriminatory law removal in Canader, eh. It's time for legal citizens to protect themselves without being afraid of reprisals from our archaic no gun laws. That was what gave Hitler his tremendous advantage which facilitated the murders of millions of subjects/people. When we're defenseless we're subjects instead of citizens. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will own guns.
2/21/2012 4:03:26 PM
hadenough says:
Yeah, like there's no violent crime in the states. As if you're safer walking the streets in the evening in downtown anywhere large city stateside.
Great contribution to the issue,any other words of wisdom to share?
2/22/2012 8:50:01 AM
patti says:
Assuming there was a couple of thousand people that attended the concert. (and it's just not this event but any event at the gardens) Petty thieves know this, and will gravitate to where the action is .... it's somewhat of a no brainer ~ for these punks.

So my question is ~ how many police officers were summoned for "foot patrol" of the area ?? (key word foot patrol) I'm guessing NONE!!!???
2/21/2012 7:09:18 PM
ring of fire dude says:
There were probably more police inside the gardens on overtime than on duty throughout the city that night .
2/21/2012 10:40:53 PM
dank says:
The police service seems to a for-profit business. There is no profit in taking the scum off the streets, but they make a lot of money on seat belt and cell phone infractions. You have to wonder why a Robins or Hortons never gets robbed!
2/21/2012 9:00:23 PM
baor says:
Hey dank the police make NO MONEY from anything they do. The city does. Nice narrow minded thinking though...just like most of the solution givers here.
2/22/2012 12:45:26 PM
deluxecustom says:
Cant walk anywhere in thunder bay anymore it seems. It just keeps getting worse. Maybe our band of idi@ts in city council along with the ring leader can try to figure out somthing other than spending 5yrs and countless dollars on getting vehicles off a road they have every right to travel on. BTW.I am not a trucker. Just another poor tax payer. Comedy Council
2/21/2012 9:37:34 PM
glock9 says:
Find it surprising nobody jumped in to help considering it was a packed venue, somebody had to of witnessed from close range unless she parked blocks away in some alleyway.
2/21/2012 10:04:02 PM
maggie says:
To comment on Flanked statement.
Alot of others things have arrived here since Oxycontin creating most of the situations that have flagged this city. Time to clean up this city of the riff raft and make it safe again. Do away with a slap on the wrist aproach. Why keep these low lifes in our city only to be let out to do the same thing over again and spread the word to their friends how easy it is to get away with things in Thunder Bay bringing in yet a new wave of criminals who dont have a care in the world.
Most of Thunder Bay people know exactly whats going on but it seems their opinions will never be heard or printed while others are free to express theirs. Why do the people of Thunder Bay have to sit back and whisper between themselves or state their opinions in private with no say in what is going on in their city without the big word appearing whenever they should state their concerns or opinions???? Unless a solution is found quickly to take back are city it will get worst.
2/22/2012 9:21:38 AM
patti says:
ANOTHER KNEE JERK REACTION ~ so now i read they're stepping up patrol's around the gardens LOL !!!

Who recalls the infamous cordon off a whole city block to surround an empty house episode?? more > LOL !!!!!

Nothing like being proactive vs reactive eh ??
2/22/2012 9:29:56 AM
yer joking says:
Obviously the woman was carrying money so in the vein of Mac's robberies it was her fault. She should be asked to leave town so as not to attract anymore ne'er do wells. She should also enlist private companies to protect her as people like that are quite bad for tourism. Sound stupid.........No stpider than the Mac's arguements.
2/22/2012 9:36:49 AM
Just one girl says:
@ glock9

The woman was parked blocks away on a side as there is no parking there at all.

She was grabbed from behind and being only 100lbs at the most had no chance of protecting herself.
2/22/2012 10:45:03 PM
pagirl says:
Something's fishy about this whole story. The newspaper reported she had a large amount of cash on her. Who carries around that kind of money (I'm assuming in the thousands) and why did she just HAPPEN to be the only one picked out to be robbed???? I believe there is more to the story....as with every story.
2/24/2012 9:28:26 PM
cga says:
These cowards will eventually get their just desserts. People in this town are sick of the oxyjunkies and it's just a matter of time before they attack the wrong person or do it in front of the wrong person. If the Police cannot protect you, do not be surprised when people start taking matters into their own hands via self defence.
2/26/2012 5:35:46 PM
Comments for this story are semi-moderated. Read our comment guideline.

Add a new comment.
You must log in to add comments.
Create a new account
Forgot password?
Log In
 
 
© 2012 Dougall Media.