Guildwood residents are upset over anti-turbine signs that have been stolen from their front lawns.
“This is the second time this has happened,” said Laura Ricci, who lives on Slyvan Avenue.
Led by the Toronto Wind Action group, residents of Guildwood have been opposing the provincial government’s plan to construct wind turbines in the Scarborough Bluffs, citing the amount of land needed for the wind farms.
The signs, featuring the slogan “Save our Shoreline”, were reportedly stolen at night on March 16 from homes on Prince Phillip Boulevard, Catalina Drive and Sylvan Avenue.
A resident reported a sign missing from the residents’ own front lawn, then drove through the neighbourhood and reported more empty front lawns.
“It’s a display of vandalism,” said John Laforet, a candidate for Toronto city councillor in Ward 43. “Over 40 signs for [Toronto Wind Action] have gone missing,”
The 12-by-24 inch signs are purchased by residents or dropped off by Toronto Wind Action activists, for supporters to display on their front lawns.
The signs have been a vital part of the campaign to raise awareness.
“Similar disappearances happened before Christmas,” said Timo Puhakka, president of the Guildwood Village Community Association.
No arrests were made in connection with the earlier thefts.
A photograph of the alleged thief, taken from a resident’s security camera footage, was given to police after the Christmas thefts.
Guildwood community members speculate these recent thefts are the work of the same person.
Other residents have been looking through their security camera feeds to see if they can catch the culprit on film, said Ricci.
The supporters of Toronto Wind Action say they are not going to let the thefts get in the way of expressing their opposition to the government plan.
“My next-door neighbour replaced their sign the next day,” Ricci said, adding that she has seen the signs returning to front lawns.