Vandals cut deep into the Park City

Bridgeport, Conn. (WTNH) - Vandals cut more than a dozen trees in a park in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport to kill them. And, now police are determined to find whoever is responsible for ruining the landscape.

St. Mary's by the sea is a lovely area with a path along the water in Black Rock enjoyed by many every day. The view is a bit different now.

Why? Because on Saturday night, during the terrible storm, something else terrible happened. Someone took a chainsaw to 15 Sycamore trees that line the walkway, ringing them a few inches deep -- just enough to probably kill them.

"We lost so many trees in this storm. It's cruel. People are crying. People are walking the path in tears," said Liz Wachsler of Bridgeport.

The city did cut down five of the younger trees because they were in danger of falling. They are taking a "wait and see approach" with the older trees that were cut.

The mayor is not so sure any of the beautiful trees will survive the carnage either. He calls it an attempt to kill the spirit of the Park City.

"I've talked to the police chief and he's got his best detectives working on this; not gonna sleep until the guilty parties are brought to justice," said Mayor Bill Finch [D] of Bridgeport.

The Black Rock Garden Club and local businesses are raising money for a reward for information that leads to an arrest.

"I can't imagine what is in the brain of someone who would do this? It's an act of violence and an act of vindictiveness," said Darryl Manning of Black Rock Garden Club.

They will plant more trees. But they say they shouldn't have to. The Sycamores that have been there for years were more than fine.

There is a $2,000 reward to catch the tree cutter and more donations are expected to push that number higher.