Stolen speed reader winds up in dumpster

Saanich police have recovered a $5,300 speed-reader board stolen from Interurban Road near Quayle Road.

Saanich police Sgt. Jereme Leslie said officers spoke to a local man who was binning on Wednesday.

“One conversation led to another and he gave us our speed reader board back,” Leslie said. “The man said he discovered it in the neighbourhood of Glanford and Vanalman. He said that he found it in the bottom of a dumpster in that area.”

The board, a black sign measuring 60 by 43 centimetres and weighing about nine kilograms, displays and records vehicle speeds as they pass.

It was set up March 10 on Interurban Road in response to public complaints of speeding in the area. When police arrived March 14 to move it to a new location, it was gone.

During the theft, the locking mechanism used to secure it to supporting poles was damaged and removed, Leslie said.

“We have a couple of things to be dealt with on the board itself, then we should have it up and running shortly.

“We’ll get the locking mechanism replaced and look at some other locking devices from the manufacturer,” he said.

“We’ve got it back and we’re happy and, hopefully, we can get a solution to ensure we’re securing it the best way we can.”

Speed readers are used by police to collect data in an effort to curb speeding, allowing them to pay attention to areas where there is a problem.

Saanich police have three other speed-reader boards and a trailer that displays speeds as drivers pass by.