When I was young "Sticks and stones may break my bones But words shall never hurt me" was a rhyme children quoted if verbally assaulted and/or insult. The essence of that rhyme hasn't changed but when sticks and stones are used to break store front windows that does hurt business owners as some businesses on Whyte Avenue can attest to. The broken glass is dangerous and unsightly and to replace it is costly, firstly for the plywood you need when waiting and then for the glass itself.
There's been an increase of senseless vandalism in general and like the broken windows is troublesome and costly to the victims and us.