Here's where there are currently speed cameras in Greater Sudbury
CBC
The City of Greater Sudbury relocated its speed cameras to different areas last week. Since then, many of them have been vandalized.
"Our automated speed enforcement program, it was designed to rotate the speed cameras about every four months. So we finished our first four-month cycle. So we started moving the cameras around last week," said Joe Rocca, the director of linear infrastructure services at the City of Greater Sudbury.
The location of the speed cameras has now changed to:
Rocca explains that these locations were chosen based on public or police concerns.
"You look at areas like Garson, Coniston Road. That's an area that since its reconstruction, we've had many, many challenges with speeding," he said.
According to the city, automated speed enforcement uses a camera and speed measurement device to capture images of vehicles exceeding the speed limit. Tickets are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle within 30 days, regardless of who was driving. The fine includes a victim surcharge and applicable court costs, but no demerit points are deducted, and the driver's record remains unaffected, although insurance rates may be affected.
Rocca says there has been a new wave of vandalism following the relocation. He says five out of the six speed cameras have been spray painted, tipped over or lit on fire over the past week.
"The damage we're seeing right now is similar to what we saw when they were first deployed. Our vendor in this project told us to expect some damage… we're working hard to get them cleaned up and up and going again," said Rocca.
In one incident, Kaitlynn Dunn, the spokesperson for the Greater Sudbury Police Service, says police received a call for service regarding an arson. The caller told police that two individuals on an ATV were seen setting the speed camera in the area of McCrea Heights on fire and then fleeing the scene. The investigation remains ongoing.
Dunn says those found responsible for any damage to the speed camera could be charged with mischief under or over $5,000.
According to Rocca, their vendor, Verra Mobility, is looking to take additional measures to make it more difficult to vandalize the boxes, including anchoring the boxes to the ground.
He added that increased vandalism might lead to higher contract costs in the future, but rates are set for the next five years following a tentative contract renewal this summer.
"Once that contract is up, the consortium of municipalities that are part of this program will negotiate with the vendor to settle on a new rate for units that are already deployed and what that looks like," said Rocca.
Regardless, Rocca says they are receiving a lot of positive feedback from residents.