Toronto Speed Camera Cut Down Again Amid Ongoing Vandalism

Toronto Speed Camera Cut Down Again Amid Ongoing Vandalism

Toronto Speed Camera Cut Down Again Amid Ongoing Vandalism

For anyone following road safety news in Toronto, this latest update is both frustrating and concerning. A speed camera on Parkside Drive has been vandalized once again—cut down for the seventh time in recent months. Police say they received a call early Sunday morning, and investigators believe the damage happened overnight. This has now become part of an ongoing mischief investigation.

Now, for some background: this particular camera was installed back in 2021, and not without reason. Its placement was directly tied to a tragic fatal crash in the area. Since then, the device has been actively monitoring traffic and issuing tickets to drivers who break the speed limit. And it hasn’t been a minor contribution—records show that more than 68,000 tickets have been issued by this single camera. That gives you an idea of how common speeding has been in this stretch of the city.

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Community members have been vocal about its importance. Faraz Gholizadeh, who co-chairs a group called Safe Parkside, has pointed out that the camera has been essential in slowing drivers down and preventing further accidents. However, he also highlighted the fact that it has become a target. Instead of standing upright and doing its job, the camera has repeatedly been found toppled over, tossed aside, or even dragged into a nearby pond.

The first case of vandalism against this camera was reported in November of last year, and since then, incidents have continued at a steady pace. In fact, the most recent destruction happened only eight weeks after the previous one. That persistence has made the device infamous—almost a symbol of the ongoing clash between enforcement measures and the individuals who don’t want them around.

One of the most striking details that has been reported is the speed this camera has clocked. At one point, it recorded a car going 154 kilometres per hour in an area where the posted limit was nearly four times lower. That single statistic alone shows why its presence matters, and why officials and community members are determined to keep it in place.

Police have not shared any suspects or motives at this stage, but the repeated targeting of this camera raises broader questions about how communities handle road safety. Is vandalism an expression of frustration from drivers, or is it just reckless behavior aimed at destroying public property? Whatever the motive, the fact remains: a safety tool meant to save lives has been repeatedly dismantled, and every time it’s cut down, the risk to pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers increases.

For now, the investigation continues, and residents are left watching to see whether this essential piece of safety infrastructure will be repaired once again—or whether it will remain a target in an ongoing battle over speed enforcement in Toronto.

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