Red Light Camera Torn Down In Suffolk County, Police Say
CORAM, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Long Island police are looking for a suspect or suspects who tore down a red light camera in Coram on Monday night, authorities said.
"We are working with the district attorney on this case and we'll be pursuing all leads," Suffolk County Deputy Police Commissioner Tim Sini said.
The cameras have sparked protests from those who say their real purpose is to generate revenue for the county, WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs reported.
Stephen Ruth, of Centereach, was dubbed the "red light robin hood" after deliberately breaking the law to fight against the red light camera legislation last year.
After being arrested for tampering with the cameras, Ruth said he filmed hundreds of red light cameras in Suffolk, claiming the county changed the timing on yellow lights to help increase revenue.
The claims sparked GOP leaders to call for a halt to the program. In October 2015, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone refuted the claim, telling WCBS 880, "there's no basis for that in reality whatsoever."
For public safety, Sini called the recent incident in Coram "serious."
'This is a felony, it would be tampering, vandalism type of charge," Sini said.
The investigation is ongoing.