By Briar Sinclair
ALTONA North police have condemned the actions of people who shot at speed cameras on the West Gate Freeway in Altona last week, saying a stray bullet could easily have injured a motorist.
Sergeant Ian Vistarini from Altona North police said the incident occurred some time on Monday evening between 10pm and 2am.
Police believe a person stood on the Grieve Parade on-ramp and used a rifle or high-powered firearm to shoot at speed cameras that were recently installed on the Grieve Parade overpass.
International company Redflex Traffic Systems won a State Government contract in September to install eight banks of speed cameras along the West Gate and Princes freeways.
The cameras, which were not part of a point-to-point system, were being calibrated and a State Government spokesman said they were to be turned on by the end of the year.
Sgt Vistarini said he was concerned about the method of the vandalism.
“Our biggest concern, apart from the damage that was done to the cameras, is the dangerous and reckless use of a firearm to commit the offence,” he said.
“It was in a very public area with a lot of cars and we treat it very seriously.
“There could have been ricochets, loose shots, and it could have caused all sorts of problems.”
Sgt Vistarini said one camera and one unit were damaged, at a cost of about $40,000.
“The camera unit might not be too expensive but the issue is the cost required to set it up.
“It takes a bit of work because they had to block the road off and get permits and use cherry pickers.”
One web site shows photos of cameras burned and vandalised in England.
Sgt Vistarini said he hoped the same thing would not start up in Australia.
“The concern is we don’t start getting a vigilante mob doing the same sort of thing here.”
Redflex did not return calls to Star.
Anyone with information or who witnesses the incident can contact Senior Detective Paul Allan at Altona CIU on 9392 3111 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
