A video showing vandalism and theft from downtown Sault Ste. Marie is shedding light on the reason the city removed dozens of parking meters in recent days.
The video, which was recorded within the past week after 3:30 a.m., shows a masked male approaching a meter and pulling a bag and what appears to be a hammer from his jacket before smashing it and collecting the coins from inside.
Within one minute and forty seconds, the deed is done and the male walks out of frame.
On Thursday, the city's manager of parking told SooToday 18 single and 28 double parking meters have been removed by the city in recent days as a result of vandalism and theft.
Nicole Maione, Sault Ste. Marie's manager of Transit, told SooToday each meter holds an average of about five dollars in change.
The revenue from parking meters is used to offset parking operating expenses such as maintenance and supplies, snow removal, snow clearing, repair and parking enforcement.
Maione said Sault Police has been notified about the vandalism and theft and the city is exploring options for replacing the meters.
She told SooToday that residents can use the Passport Parking Mobile app to pay for parking in the spots without meters.
