Automated Speed Enforcement cameras across the city vandalized overnight 

By MATTHEW STEPHENS 

The city is launching an investigation into several Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) camera vandalizations occurring overnight Tuesday, Sept. 9. 

The investigation comes following a permanent (pole-mounted) ASE camera along Lake Shore Boulevard East and Woodbine Avenue being cut down for the second time. 

Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford addressed the consecutive vandalizations of the Lake Shore Boulevard East speed camera, calling the city’s ongoing efforts to keep the cameras operating a “joke.” 

“The speed camera at Lake Shore and Woodbine has been cut down again,” said Bradford in a statement on X. 

“If the city is going to spend money doing automated speed enforcement, it must do a better job protecting the cameras.” 

According to reports, ASE cameras were also vandalized at O’Connor Drive and Coxwell Avenue, Lake Shore Boulevard East and Coxwell Avenue, and Bayview Avenue and Post Road, overnight on Tuesday. 

As the city increases ASE camera presence across Toronto, reported vandalizations have become more common. Last Sunday, Sept. 7, an ASE on Parkside Drive near High Park was cut down for the seventh time in recent months. 

At a press conference this afternoon at Toronto Police Headquarters, Senior Duty Officer Inspector Peter Wallace said police will be launching a full investigation into the overnight incidents.

“Overnight, there were 16 Automated Speed Enforcement cameras damaged across the city. This is an addition to the Parkside speed camera that was cut down in the early hours of September 7. At this time, I can tell you that officers are analyzing each occurrence to gather evidence and identify witnesses,” said Wallace Tuesday, Sept. 9, press conference.

Toronto police released several images of two individuals involved in the Parkside camera vandalization, who could be seen wearing dark clothing.

Wallace confirmed that speeding enforcement will be carried out by police officers until the vandalized cameras become operational again.

“Traffic enforcement continues, and our traffic officers will continue to enforce the law around speeding and other dangerous driving behaviours across the city,” said Wallace. “You will also see our presence at locations where speed cameras were targeted by vandals.”

Wallace did not confirm or deny that the Parkside camera was the only speeding camera being observed by Toronto police.

He did say that implementing stronger surveillance of speeding cameras across the city was part of “conversations being had” by TPS in light of recent vandalism.

Back in April, Mayor Olivia Chow unveiled the ASE camera along Lake Shore Boulevard East to mitigate safety concerns associated with higher volumes of traffic during the summer months. 

During the unveiling, General Manager for the City’s Transportation Department Barbara Grey said the city was in the process of converting more of their temporary ASE cameras into permanent pole-mounted cameras, which she believed would help to “deter vandalism.” 

The speed camera posted along Lake Shore came in addition to the city’s ongoing efforts to double the number of speed cameras across the city and crack down on speed related incidents. 

Grey said the city’s two automated enforcement programs (red light camera program and automated speed enforcement program) generated approximately $40 million in revenue for the City of Toronto last year. 

Grey also stated that the contractor/vendor working with the city is responsible for replacing vandalized speed cameras at their own cost – not the city’s.   

Toronto police are urging the public to reach out with any information they may have about the overnight recent speed camera vandalizations by contacting Crime Stoppers Toronto at 416-222-8477, or by visiting https://222tips.com/