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Over the weekend, vandals cut down dozens of trees in downtown Los Angeles, sparking outrage and confusion among residents and city officials. The Los Angeles Police Department reported that the incident occurred between 1st Street and Wilshire Boulevard, with additional damage at intersections like Olympic Boulevard and Hope Street. The felled trees, many of which were Indian laurel figs, were cut using chainsaws, leaving some trunks severed at the base and others cut several feet above the ground.
According to KTLA, the Los Angeles Police Department currently has no leads, and the city's Urban Forestry Division has not responded to inquiries. The destruction comes just ahead of Earth Day, leading some to speculate about the timing and motives behind the vandalism. Social media users have expressed their dismay, with some suggesting that the act might have been an attempt to bypass city bureaucracy.
In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, Mayor Karen Bass condemned the act, stating, "That someone would do this is truly beyond comprehension. City public works crews are assessing the damage and we will be making plans to quickly replace these damaged trees." The city is urging anyone with information to come forward as the LAPD continues its investigation.
The loss of these trees is a significant blow to Los Angeles's urban canopy, which plays a crucial role in reducing heat stress, capturing stormwater runoff, and improving air quality. As the investigation unfolds, city officials and residents hope to see those responsible held accountable.