Magden AG Radar sprayed, police scrub - unknown persons damage speed cameras
A spray-painted speed camera in Magden was temporarily unable to provide usable images. The police had to go out to clean it themselves - and are now investigating damage to property.
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- A speed camera box in Magden AG was sprayed with graffiti, although the damage to property originally took place in Kaiseraugst AG and also affected other objects.
- The soiling temporarily impaired the function of the camera so that some traffic violations could not be punished.
- The police have filed a complaint, are gradually cleaning the device and are investigating the unknown perpetrators.
Anyone currently driving through the 50 km/h zone on Maispracherstrasse in Magden AG will notice an unusually decorated speed camera. Dark spray-painting covers the device - so conspicuous that even a cover hardly detracts from the sight.
The conspicuous spray-painting on the speed camera in Magden AG originated in Kaiseraugst: "This happened in Kaiseraugst," explained Hans-Ulrich Loosli, head of the Lower Fricktal regional police force, to the Aargauer Zeitung newspaper. An unknown perpetrator damaged several objects there the week before last. In addition to the radar box, a container and an ATM were also affected.
The police have to go cleaning
After the incident, some of the equipment has already been cleaned. "After the incident, we cleaned the lower part of the radar box. We will also clean the upper part, as we have already received several calls that the speed camera box has been sprayed," says Loosli. According to him, the residue can be removed relatively easily: "We have a graffiti remover. It soaks the paint before it can be removed," says Loosli.
The soiling also temporarily affected the function of the flash. At times, the camera was unable to deliver usable images. "A few violations could not be punished," says Loosli. The cause was the sprayed protective screen, which only allowed dark images to be taken.
"This is only the third time now"
According to the police, such incidents remain the exception. "We've had this device for twelve years. This is only the third time it has been damaged," emphasizes Loosli. In previous cases, the window had been destroyed, and on another occasion someone had tried to set the device on fire.
The authorities have reacted: Charges have been filed against persons unknown. The cantonal police are investigating the case and are also looking into the other damaged objects. It is not yet known who is responsible for the damage.
