This Is What Happens When Citizens Get Fed Up Over Speed Cameras

Citizens across the country have grumbled about speed cameras, but someone in Wicomico County, Maryland appears to be making a physical -- and political -- point.

This traffic camera, supposedly in Wicomico County, Maryland, was spray-painted over the lens and tagged with the year 1776, the year the U.S. declared its independence. (Photo via SBY News)

A photo posted on the blog SBY News shows a traffic camera that's been spray-painted over the lens and tagged with the year 1776, the year the U.S. declared independence.

"Good for them!" blog publisher Joe Albero wrote.

Some commenting on the post seem to agree. Here are a few:

• Everytime I drive past one, I secretly wish someone would do that. I would gladly donate to their bail if they get caught.
• I love it then the top it off 1776 nice touch
• Next, surveillance cameras for the surveillance cameras.

But others noted that this would be considered vandalism and disagreed with the destruction of the cameras, which take photos of license plates that get mailed with citations to offending drivers.

"Good for them? This is VANDALISM. Drive the speed limit and stop with the 'patriot' hogwash. This is criminal behavior, and it should be punished," one commenter wrote.

According to WBOC-TV, speed cameras in Wicomico County raked in $40,000 for the police department last year, funding computers, a K-9 unit and uniforms.

This isn't the only location in Maryland where speed cameras have come under attack. In Tacoma Park, a camera that issued more than 1,000 tickets in less than three months was spray painted black last month, WJLA-TV reported.

"We hate them! And this camera taking a hundred dollars here and a hundred dollars there. Money coming out and not coming in! We are gonna feel it -- everybody feels it!" David McKenzie of Hyattsville told the news station.

Here's the report on that incident:

Speed and red light cameras have spurred controversy all over the country, but Maryland specifically seems to have had some serious issues with them.

Last year, a lawmaker in the state suggested that if drivers could be fined for breaking the law, the speed camera company should be fined as well when it issues "bogus" tickets. At the time, at least five of Baltimore County's 83 cameras were found to have problems.

In Charles County, nearly 3,400 drivers who paid traffic tickets because of the cameras that were later deemed illegal are now being issued refunds.

The city of Westminster ended up canceling its camera program after it found operating the system was costing the taxpayers money, not even breaking even.

TheBlaze reported in the past about a Florida judge who ruled red light cameras unconstitutional and an Ohio judge who did the same against a village's speed cameras.

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