For the second time in less than a month, the traffic camera in front of Crossroads Public School in Virgil has been vandalized — the camera that was installed two weeks ago to replace the one that was taken down in May.
Const. Philip Gavin with Niagara Regional Police said there is no update on a suspect for either vandalism incident.
The camera, which was vandalized last Friday, came down again in much the same way the first one did on May 27. It appeared to have been taken down by a power tool.
Scott Fraser, associate director of transportation planning at Niagara Region, who owns and works with the camera, said the region has not given up on this camera in this location, which was supposed to be up and running until August.
“We are aware of the most recent vandalism of the automated speed enforcement camera in the community safety zone that includes Crossroads Public School,” he said.
“We have notified the camera vendor and will be working with them to repair the equipment and have it back in service as soon as possible.”
Considering two cameras have been taken down in the same place in such a short time, Fraser said the region was looking to find ways to make the cameras more difficult to bring down.
“We are currently evaluating options and alternatives to best address the issue of vandalism at automated speed enforcement cameras in the region,” he said, though he didn’t say exactly what alternatives the Region was pursuing.
There has been a lot of frustration within the town and the region with the speeding cameras.
Vandalism incidents involving traffic cameras have also taken place in Smithville and Welland, where three traffic cameras were vandalized in May 2024 over a few days.
Coun. Erwin Wiens, who was also a police officer in Hamilton for 31 years, said he believed from his experience as a Hamilton cop and as a NOTL councillor that Niagara Regional Police were going to do a good job on this issue, and that they were not going to tolerate the vandalism.
“You’re asking me in my perspective as a police officer,” he said. “It’s never, ever an excuse to do any sort of mischief.”
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa, who also sits on Niagara regional council, said ultimately, people should not get angry at the camera.
“It’s your responsibility to drive according to the rules,” said Zalepa.
The penalty for the vandalism of a speed camera worth more than $5,000 is a charge of mischief over $5,000 with a potential maximum penalty of two years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.
If anyone has information about this incident they are encouraged to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at (905)-688-4111 or Crimestoppers Niagara at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can visit Crimestoppers online at crimestoppersniagara.ca.
