'Fleximan' Who Cuts Traffic Cameras... Criminal but Called a Hero, Why?

Some netizens cheer treating him as a 'hero'
"Just a criminal making the roads dangerous"

There have been consecutive incidents of speed enforcement cameras installed on roads in northern Italy being cut down. Although local police are under pressure, some netizens have nicknamed the culprit "Fleximan" on social media.

On the 25th (local time), the Italian daily La Repubblica reported that about 20 speed enforcement cameras had been damaged in various northern regions over the past eight months. The method of damage was similar. Using an angle grinder, a cutting tool with a saw blade, the metal poles holding the cameras were cut in half.

Fleximan cut down the speed camera support pole [Image source=Ex(X)]

So far, damages have been confirmed in Veneto, Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, and Padua. The crimes are estimated to have occurred around 1 to 2 a.m.

Similar incidents have been ongoing since May last year. The culprit became so well-known on local social media that they were nicknamed "Fleximan." The name Fleximan comes from the German manufacturer "Flexi," which produces angle grinders.

Some drivers dissatisfied with the speed cameras reportedly treat Fleximan as a "hero." On social media platforms like X, comments such as "Local authorities have installed too many speed cameras," "Finally, we can drive properly," and "He is a hero of Italy" have appeared.

However, Italian authorities have announced a strict response to the culprit. Mayor Sara Gaiani Villanona stated that new cameras will not be installed in places where cameras were damaged, but emphasized that "(Fleximan) is not a hero but a criminal."

Mayor Gaiani also said, "It is time for us to reflect. Speed cameras are oppressive tools, and more focus should be placed on driver education and accident prevention."

Currently, Italian police are tracking Fleximan through nearby closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, but no decisive clues about the culprit have been found yet.

La Repubblica pointed out, "Some drivers see Fleximan as a modern-day Robin Hood, but from the police perspective, he is a criminal damaging public property," adding, "He also makes the roads less safe."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.