On 8 December, electricians installed a monitoring camera on the pole of a speed camera at 239 Jerusalem Avenues, as the Road Traffic Inspectorate prepares a third activation after two vandal attacks.
Police Prepare for Third Activation
On Monday 8 December, in the morning, electricians worked on the pole of the speed camera at 239 Jerusalem Avenues, installing a monitoring camera. The added precautions suggest the Road Traffic Inspectorate is gearing up for a third activation after two previous vandal attacks.
High‑Profile Speed‑Camera Records 12,000 Violations
The speed camera appeared in early November 2024 on the section where the speed limit was reduced to 50 km/h. The TraffiStar SR390 is a modern device; its installation cost about 240 000 PLN. From 18 November 2024 to 1 February 2025 it recorded 12 517 speed violations, averaging more than 150 per day.
Location Sparks Driver Outrage
The camera’s placement on a wide, two‑lane road separated by a green strip in an area where some drivers expected a 70 km/h limit led to mixed reactions. Drivers called it a “scarecrow,” citing poorly visible signage in a dense traffic‑sign environment and suggested it operated like a “cash machine.”
First Vandalism Incident – February 2025
Early February 2025, after months of operation, the camera housing was severely damaged by an unidentified perpetrator. Deep dents, likely from a heavy tool, were visible. Repair costs were estimated at about 50 000 PLN, and the device was sent for service. Police opened a property‑destruction proceeding, but the culprit remained unidentified.
Second Vandalism and Temporary Return
After a pause, the camera returned in late April 2025, rotated to monitor vehicles heading toward the city centre from the Pruszków side. By 17 April at 13:00, it had recorded 50 violations before becoming a target again. Within under two weeks the housing was destroyed again, captured on a car GPS video showing a person striking it with a likely axe. The device was dismantled again and sent for repair.
July 2025 Test Installation Sparks Drivers’ Anger
In July 2025 the device appeared again for testing only. On 29 July, a GITD‑ordered team mounted the camera on the pole and ran temporary trials. Drivers reacted with horns and gestures at the site. A GITD spokesperson said the installation was purely test; post‑verification the camera would be removed, and permanent activation would wait until the location was properly secured.
Current Monitoring Measures and Final Preparations
Work on the pole now involves mounting a monitoring camera on the same structure that previously housed the speed‑camera. This aligns with GITD’s announced strategy, adding visual oversight to observe both the device and its surroundings, including potential attack attempts. While the inspectorate has not yet set a reactivation date, the sequence of post‑repair testing and monitoring installation indicates that preparations for a third, record‑setting activation are in final stages.