Drivers from Staten Island, New York, are blocking speed cameras as a form of protest against excessive fines.
The New York Department of Transportation (DOT) has requested help from the City Police to remove flowers being placed on speed cameras by Staten Island residents, who are protesting the high number of fines.
“Exceeding the speed limit kills. Tampering with speed cameras is unacceptable and puts lives at risk,” said a Department representative to The New York Post.
Authorities have not disclosed when the protest began or which locations were affected by the flowers.
Local residents have expressed support for the “flower vigilantes.” “It’s a way to keep money in our pockets. We already have enough struggles. It’s better than vandalizing or destroying the cameras,” said John Santos.
“These devices are a form of revenue generation. It’s the same thing as congestion tolling,” he continued.
In 2023, 4.45 million speeding tickets were issued in school zones across New York’s five boroughs. Staten Island alone accumulated 312,083 tickets, amounting to approximately $15.6 million in fines.
Photos: X @frankmorano. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
