Radar tracking device stolen from light pole in Kitchener, police say

A radar tracking device installed in Kitchener by Waterloo regional police’s traffic service unit has been stolen, according to the service.

Police say a Northline Black Cat Radar device that had been installed near David Bergey Drive and Activa Avenue went missing sometime between Feb. 16 and Monday.

The locks and mounting hardware were damaged as the device was taken from a light pole it had been attached to, according to police.

“The device was packaged inside a small black plastic case and does not contain anything that would be saleable to the public,” Staff Sgt. Scott Griffiths told Global News in an email.

He said the radar camera is not used to catch speeders but rather to monitor traffic in the area.

“The Black Cat device was purchased several years ago by WRPS TSU as another tool in our efforts to effectively respond to community concerns regarding traffic safety,” Griffiths explained.

“The device captures anonymous data that only serves to help WRPS better understand community concerns about traffic issues.”

He said the camera is about as heavy as a small personal computer.

“The device assists us in better understanding the concerns the public have about that area, much like the pneumatic tubes you sometimes see installed by municipalities doing traffic studies,” Griffiths said.

The service says the device was installed because there were complaints from the community about unsafe driving in that area.