For police to investigate vandalism of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s automated speed camera on Niagara Stone Road, the Niagara Region must first report damage to its own property.
The Niagara Regional Police Service says it’s received those reports and investigations are underway, but no charges have been laid.
Initially, the region would not say whether it had ever reported vandalism of the camera to police — only after a follow-up email from The Lake Report did it confirm incidents in July were reported.
When the newspaper went to police and asked exactly when the region filed the reports and how many times, the records unit said the information would only be released through a freedom of information request.
“We will not offer this information to you via email,” said a records customer service representative in an email.
The region has said it files police reports when the severity of an incident, the cost of damage, or risks to public safety warrant it.
By press time, the region had not answered additional follow-up questions about when the reports were filed, how many were submitted, the dates of the vandalism itself, or whether the reports were made before or after the newspaper began pressing for answers.
The Lake Report has reported on four acts of vandalism, the last on July 7.
This month, the camera vanished from the site — it has yet to be returned.
“At this stage, incidents are being examined collectively, with consideration given to any potential links between them,” said Niagara Regional Police Const. Luke Lindley.
“If further vandalism occurs, each report will be investigated and any new information will be assessed in connection with existing cases.”
The month is almost over, but the region said the camera is still on this season’s enforcement schedule and expected to return before the program ends in August — even though its post has been cut to less than half its original height and now sits empty, topped with flowers — and that closed-circuit television will also be installed at the site this month.
Police encourage anyone with information about the speed camera vandalism to contact police directly or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for details leading to an arrest.
