Speed cameras torched across Sydney
August 12, 2009 by George Skentzos
It appears as though a few disgruntled motorists are serving their own kind of vigilanty justice in North Sydney by torching yet another speed camera earlier today.
The city-bound fixed speed camera halfway up Spit Hill was deliberately set alight at around 2am this morning, wiping out one of the city’s most notorious revenue-raising cameras.
Police attended the scene, taking photos and collecting evidence although with NSW officers still adopting a ‘fine-free’ stance in response to union action, it is unlikely that finding the culprits will be a high priority.
The controversial Spit Rd camera was ranked among the top 10 highest revenue raisers for the state in 2006-07, earning more than $1 million that year.
Since the start of June, two speed cameras outside Narrabeen North Public School and Narrabeen Sports High were set alight, along with the north-bound camera on Pittwater Rd outside Narrabeen Lakes Public School in July.
The most recent attack prior to today’s Spit Hill blaze was on a fixed camera on Warringah Rd at Forestville which was set on fire a fortnight ago.
It has been estimated the damage bill for each of the four previous attacks would run between $15,000-$35,000 per camera.
Source: The Daily Telegraph Image: FreeNews
Print it: 
How do you define speeding anyway?Isn’t 40kph speeding compared to 30kph,20kph speeding compared to 10kph,whos to dictate that at one speed everything is fine and safe you can switch off now and just a few kms above that your a dangerous menace on the road?
I think the only person who knew about speed and motion was
Einstein and we all know there’s no one like that working in the RTA.
The RTA! Don’t make me laugh. All their “road safety experts” are highly paid to push the government’s agenda.
Logical and rational discussion on speed limits and enforcement is NOT encouraged in this country.
It’s funny. While it’s a great thing to see this happening, at the same time, now we all have to pay for it. With each camera costing up to $35K, that’s our money.
And I have to agree, if anything, the cameras near the schools shouldn’t have been torched.
The thing that’s funny is that if you’re not speeding, what have you got to worry about? Luckily we’re all given ample warning about fixed speed cameras. We all know where they are. And whether it’s accidental or not, you’re going above the recommended speed limit for that area of road.
Despite my sensible response and my hatred for having to pay with my tax money to fix these cameras. In a way, we’re all coping a fine. I still find a warm and fuzzy feeling that someone is fed up enough to show it.
SteveC
I would have thought the risk of being charged with “Incitement to commit a crime” would have been enough for Car Advice management to turn the comments off on this story.
Nobody much likes sneeky speed cameras, but to encourage vandalism of public property, as Car Advice seems to be doing here is actually a criminal offence.
Dear Comm Gordon, …that would be one weak brief of evidence, can’t find any facts that elevate any risk as you mention…. how is Car Advice Management (CAM) encouraging vandalism? It merely reported the case and, like with any other topic, has allowed the forum/ blog to continue…..
Remember, the crime in this instance has occurred in the past and is being commented upon – add that any similar crime in the future will then need to be linked (and proven) to have been “incited” here and even then…..
I agree with you in that I don’t like damage to public (or private, for that matter) property but can’t agree on the notion that CAM is encouraging this sort of behaviour.
Dear…….Mr, Sir, Commissioner Gordon stop telling lies and explain where in the story CA is inciting anything let alone a crime ???????????????????????????????????????
i bet you any money you don’t have the balls to reply!!!!!!!
Commissioner Gordon
the game is up. It may have been a state secret but over the years there have been to many leaks, we know the cameras are there for revenue not safety.
If you and your political masters are so hard up for cash just put rego up by $50 a year and come clean about the cameras. We won’t like it, but we might respect you for setting the record straight.
Cut back the petty crap, set the cameras to catch excessive speeders (15 km over the limit plus), ditch the ambush tactics on changing speed zones and hills. replace most of the cameras with Police patrols, this way you CAN do something about the dangerous cars and drivers who are mostly under the radar. Eyeball Mk 1 pisses all over a brainless machine any day (providing a functioning brain is conected, not an Eric Cartman type power junky).
People commenting on this artical are venting their frustration at what they rightly see as a legalised form of Highway Robbery. We do not morn the passing of these thiefing machines, but nor are we about to rush out and damage them ourselves, I dare to say that we are a generally responible and law abiding lot who strongly object to been tarred as criminals by a bloody (at times poorly calibrated) machine!
If you are the real deal, be a man. Go tell your masters how it really is out there and tell them to grow some balls and come clean with us.
The article does not breach any laws or media code of conduct, but many of the comments do.
Do you not find it strange that no other media outlet, including the quoted source above, did not allow comments on their articles?
This in reality has nothing to do with speeding motorists, but rather the irresponsible, wanton vandalism of public property.
CA have in the past dissallowed comments on their stories, why not on this one?
Are they encouraging this illegal ant-social behaviour?
These are the type of questions that the magistrate may well ask.
Carl, I would suggest that you might like to stay away from the ‘track – you are a terrible gambler. Please go to your nearest childrens charity and cough up on the bet!
Mr Gordon…….i know it can be hard to comprehend for a person of your limited intelligence but the bet was that you wouldn’t have the guts to respond on how CA incited violence and broke the law!!!! so I’m still waiting for that response not the dribble you just wrote…….stay relevant or go back to your RTA window!!!
Re: Commissioner Gordon
WTH are you on? you contradicted yourself in the first sentences of yr last two ravings! Doing so means that you really are way way out of yr depth.
Commissioner Gordon Says: August 16th, 2009 at 11:47 pm “Incitement to commit a crime” = ROFL. Please provide proof of the alleged offences committed.
We don’t need a self appointed backyard barrister/ Nazi party lifetime member with limited knowledge or education making wild accusations that he/ she cannot prove.
What section of the RTA are you a manager of ?
Only cowards need their voting bars removed!!!
Carl, don’t make youself look like a fool. Go find out why certain voting bars dissapear.
Read the “karma-to-the-rescue” story.
It’s just peoples opinion, and BTW opinions arent always right.
Bloke, Because I’ve got better things to do than read every story on this blog i missed the stupid story on karma to the rescue……it still doesn’t change my mind about it being for politically correct cowards, we are all anonymous, my real name is not Carl and I’m sure your real name isn’t bloke so why the need to protect the delicate flowers from negative comments???? some people in charge try to please everyone but only end up pleasing the minority of ar*se holes that constantly complain!!!!