In an alarming incident, the notorious speed camera on Parkside Drive near High Park in Toronto has been vandalized for the third time this year. Reports from the local community group, Safe Parkside, reveal that this speed camera—dubbed the highest-grossing in the city—has issued an astounding 65,392 speeding tickets, amounting to nearly $7 million in fines since its installation.

This latest act of vandalism has seen the camera cut down and unceremoniously dumped in a pond within High Park. This represents a troubling trend as previous incidents also occurred last November, raising concerns among residents about road safety and the effectiveness of the city's measures.

"Parkside residents are pleading for safety improvements, yet the City of Toronto continues to overlook these dangerous conditions," declared a spokesperson from Safe Parkside. "This speed camera, which has spent more time lying on its side or submerged than actually issuing tickets, clearly fails to mitigate the hazards that persist on Parkside Drive."

The group's concerns have intensified, particularly following an alarming event where a motorist was clocked traveling at an outrageous 154 km/h—nearly four times the posted speed limit of 40 km/h. This shocking speed highlights the continuous risks faced by residents in the area.

The speed camera was originally installed in the aftermath of a tragic multi-vehicle collision that resulted in the deaths of two seniors at the intersection of Parkside Drive and Spring Road on October 12, 2021. In response, the city attempted to enhance safety protocols by lowering the speed limit from 50 to 40 km/h and rolling out additional signage and speed cameras.

Despite these efforts, Safe Parkside argues that the camera has primarily served as a revenue generator for the city rather than a genuine safety measure. The community’s frustrations underscore the ongoing battle against reckless driving in the area, as they call for more effective solutions to address the persistent danger.

As this situation unfolds, the continued vandalism of the Parkside Drive speed camera raises a critical question: Just how many times will the city allow this vital safety measure to be destroyed before taking serious action to protect its residents?

Stay tuned as we follow this developing story and explore the city's response to this pressing issue.