Vandals strike Puslinch cameras
Cameras used to collect evidence for heavy truck bylaw cut down – twice
PUSLINCH – Someone doesn’t like that Puslinch Township uses cameras to record the licence plates of heavy vehicles that contravene the township’s heavy vehicle bylaw.
For the second time in the past few months, posts were cut down or pushed over, rendering the cameras useless and leaving the township to pick up the tab to replace them.
The OPP has been notified and council discussed the issue at its Oct. 7 meeting.
“This is the second time,” CAO Courtenay Hoytfox told council. “These are high-valued assets. This is taxpayer money.”
The first incident occurred in August, the second in September.
The heavy vehicle bylaw allows the township to install cameras on roads that are not designated for heavy vehicles but are often used by them anyway.
The roads deteriorate much faster and require more maintenance, which is expensive for the township and troublesome for residents who live on them.
The original bylaw was passed in 2021 and updated in December 2025.
The cameras are not speed cameras. They record licence plates and photos of the trucks in question. Then the township issues tickets.
There are 19 locations in the township that have or will have the cameras – three on Concession 7, which is the site of one of the acts of vandalism.
Public works, parks and facilities director Mike Fowler said it cost the township $10,000 per pole to install.
“We will pause (the installation) of the pole on Watson Road until we can develop a new strategy,” he said. “This one looks like it was broken in the ground.”
“Don’t complain about the ticket; just don’t go on the road,” Mayor James Seeley said. He suggested the township “strongly” request more OPP presence in the area.
