Vigilante ‘speed camera’ shut down by police

American police have shut down a homemade speed camera erected by an American resident frustrated by cars speeding in their quiet street.

The unnamed resident of McComas Avenue in Kensington, Maryland, used what was ostensibly a community book exchange (or “Little Free Library”) to create the faux speed camera – as reported by WUSA9, and spotted by Carscoops.

WUSA9 says the street in question links two main roads, and is often used as a shortcut by motorists to save time on their commute – sometimes at up to 80km/h, according to one resident.

Residents allege parked cars have been damaged by speeding drivers, with one claiming they’ve had a mirror knocked off three times.

The not-a-speed-camera is made of two grey boxes, aligned like a regular speed camera – but filled with books such as How to Drive Safely, rather than radars and cameras.

Sitting above the fake camera was a (very real-looking) sign saying “TRAFFIC LAWS PHOTO ENFORCED”.

Montgomery County has ordered the fake speed camera be taken down, and has told residents it can’t be moved onto private property – i.e. into someone’s front yard.

WUSA9 reports there are plans to install speed bumps in the street… eventually.