51 incidents of vandalism on speed cameras reported in Mississauga so far this year

Speed cameras continue to be a target for vandalism in Mississauga.

Officially known as automated speed enforcement (ASE) devices, the metal boxes contain a camera and speed measurement equipment to help enforce the speed limit.

Mississauga uses the speed cameras in community safety zones where the speed limit is less than 80 km/h.

The cameras are moved to different locations regularly. In March, there were 21 cameras activated. The camera locations are chosen based on data including the severity of speeding in the area, traffic volumes, collision history and site suitability, according to the city.

But devices have been contentious since they were first operational in the summer of 2021.

Last November, the City of Mississauga had 164 reports of vandalism, however, there are often multiple reports for the same incident.

The cameras are knocked over, damaged and spray painted.

Just last weekend, a speed camera went up on Atwater Avenue on Friday, March 31 and the next morning residents woke up to find the camera heavily sprayed painted, one resident shared with insauga.com.

Others are reportedly knocked down on Cliff Road and Tedwyn Drive recently.

“Unfortunately, vandalism is a common occurrence for many City services, and it is not unusual for ASE cameras to become the target of graffiti or other types of vandalism,” Colin Patterson, City of Mississauga manager of traffic services and road safety, tells insauga.com in an email.

In 2023, there have been 51 reports of vandalism on the cameras throughout the city as of April 4, Patterson says. As was the case in 2022, some of these reports are for the same incident of vandalism. There are often multiple reports for the same incident.

All maintenance and repairs are the responsibility of the vendor and there is no additional cost to the city, Patterson adds.

The vandalism on Atwater was reported to the vendor and it will be repaired as soon as possible, he says.

 Typically, staff have found that the number of incidents reduces after the first few weeks a camera is in place, Patterson says.

Residents are encouraged to call 311 to report incidents of vandalism so they can be addressed as quickly as possible.