The traffic camera in front of Crossroads Public School in Virgil, which was vandalized last week, has been restored.
Niagara Region, which owns the automated speed camera, said that it is expected to be functioning again soon. It was restored on Monday.
“As an updated timeline, the damaged equipment has now been repaired, and we expect it to be returned to service by early next week,” said Scott Fraser, the region’s associate director of transportation planning.
Originally, the region planned to keep the camera, which was installed in early May, at its current location on Niagara Stone Road until August. Fraser said that plan is still going ahead.
However, questions remain about who did it and why. Niagara Regional Police say the perpetrator has not been arrested.
“There is no progress to report,” Const. Rich Hingley said. “We have not received any new details about the investigation.”
This incident has garnered a variety of reactions from locals.
“I wasn’t aware of (this incident),” said resident Robin Garrett. “I hadn’t really thought of it until now,” she said with a laugh.
Resident Richard James, meanwhile, called the incident “ridiculous and unacceptable.”
“But, I will say that they should restore the flashing lights they used to have to mark you were in a 40. They took those away. Silly.”
For now, police will continue investigating this incident and other acts of vandalism. 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.
Hingley said that no one among the public has come forward yet about the cameras, but he encouraged the public to share any tips they have.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 905-688-4111. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to any information that leads to an arrest.
