There were no reports of vandalism during the first month the city’s new automated speed enforcement cameras were up and clicking, but soon after tickets started to flow, so too did the damage.
City officials say there were four reports of vandalism to the devices in September and the first week of October.
“That’s quite consistent with other municipalities that are in the automated speed enforcement program,” Paul Hutchison, the city’s supervisor of traffic engineering, said of the rate of vandalism. “This is a challenge throughout the province.”
Speed enforcement cameras were set up in four locations on Aug. 1, with plans to move them around every three months, rotated between 16 spots – all in front of schools.
August went by vandalism-free, Hutchison said, explaining September saw damage inflicted on three of the four devices. The acts of vandalism include spray painting, broken front window glass and a unit pushed over.
Two of the incidents happened to the camera on Colonial Drive, in front of St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School, while the cameras on Westwood Road (at Westwood Road Public School) and Ironwood Drive (at Fred A. Hamilton Public School) saw one incident each.
“It is concerning that it is happening,” said Hutchison. “Certainly, we don’t want to see the units damaged. When they’re pushed over, they’re not effective, they’re not managing speeds and that’s why we’ve got them in place.”
A fourth camera is currently located on Metcalfe Street, in front of King George Public School.
"Obviously these devices are municipal property and anyone caught damaging them or otherwise rendering them inoperable could face a criminal charge of mischief," offered Scott Tracey, spokesperson for Guelph police. "This would include knocking the cameras over so they don’t function properly, even if they do not sustain any damage.
"If anyone know who is responsible for these or other acts they are asked to call police or Crime Stoppers."
The company that installed and operates the cameras on behalf of the city is responsible for maintenance, including repairs needed as a result of vandalism, Hutchison noted.
Information about the number of tickets issued as a result of the cameras isn’t yet available.
Additional locations announced by city officials earlier this year are:
- Taylor Evans Public School at Stephanie Drive
- Cornerstone Christian School at Forest Street
- John McCrae Public School at Water Street
- St. Joseph Catholic School at Guelph Street
- St. Paul Catholic School at Clairfields Drive East
- Victory Public School at Exhibition Street
- Ecole Guelph Lake Public School at Severn Drive
- Brant Avenue Public School at Brant Avenue
- Ecole Arbour Vista Public School at McCann Street
- William C. Winegard Public School at Lee Street
- Central Public School at Dublin Street North
- June Avenue Public School at June Avenue
