In recent months, a perplexing issue has emerged in Toronto concerning the repeated vandalism of a highly profitable speed enforcement camera on Parkside Drive. Video footage has surfaced, captured late at night, showing a hooded individual using a reciprocating saw to cut down the speed camera.
The video, which lasts two minutes, was recorded by a trail camera set up by a concerned citizen in the nearby bushes. It shows the vandal arriving around 2:30 a.m. on May 23, equipped with a step ladder and a Sawzall, effectively cutting off the speed camera before fleeing the scene. This incident marks the fifth act of vandalism against the camera, prompting increased public concern.
The community group Safe Parkside has expressed its disappointment regarding the frequent vandalism of the speed camera, which was installed for the purpose of enhancing road safety. Faraz Gholizadeh, co-chair of the group, emphasized the necessity of the camera, stating, “This camera was put here for a reason. It’s here to save lives. There have been people killed on this street.” The camera was specifically installed in response to a tragic multi-vehicle crash that occurred on October 12, 2021, resulting in the deaths of two seniors.
Since its installation, the Parkside Drive speed camera has proven to be one of Toronto’s most effective enforcement tools, issuing over 69,000 tickets that have generated more than $7 million in fines. However, this success has not shielded the camera from acts of vandalism. The camera has faced repeated targeting: two instances of being cut down occurred in November 2022, with the second attack happening just one day after it was reinstalled. In December of the same year, it was removed and subsequently found in a nearby duck pond. The most recent incident occurred in July 2023, where it was cut down again, despite the presence of a newly installed surveillance camera nearby intended to deter such actions.
Despite the vigilance of community members and their efforts to push for stricter safety measures, Gholizadeh noted that there seems to be a lack of responsive action from the police and the City of Toronto. “Police have so far not laid any charges or have suspects,” he stated. “So it seems like police and City of Toronto aren’t really doing anything, so it’s nice to see citizens do care and are taking action.” The Safe Parkside group continues to advocate for more meaningful intervention, including calls to redesign the road to improve safety.
Currently, the Toronto police are continuing their investigations into the series of vandalism incidents, but as of now, no suspects have been identified. The ongoing situation has not only alarmed local residents but also highlighted the challenges in balancing public safety initiatives with community compliance.
