Santa comes early to Arizona.

[pittim]

Found this on another board.

Santa impersonators wrap Tempe cameras

140 comments by Lisa Halverstadt - Dec. 23, 2008 11:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

Some local Santas have ordered lumps of coal for those behind the photo radar and speed cameras in Tempe.

A YouTube video posted Monday shows four people dressed in full Santa attire, complete with beards and red clothing, wrapping -and covering up -- three cameras in Tempe. To the tune of the Jackson 5's "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," the video featured the group placing gift-wrapped boxes over cameras at McClintock Drive and Rio Salado Parkway and Priest Drive and Fifth Street. They wrapped what appeared to be a red sheet over another camera.

As the video nears to an end, the group shared footage of one of the covered cameras, apparently still wrapped up two hours later.

Tempe police believe the wrapping session, which appears to have taken place during the day as cars drove by, occurred within the past two weeks.

This appeared to be the first case, at least in Tempe, where the cameras were covered, Tempe police Sgt. Steve Carbajal said.

Although police initially didn't plan to investigate the case because the cameras weren't damaged and disorderly conduct wasn't reported, Carbajal said they changed their minds Tuesday morning.

Detectives now plan to investigate the case as a violation of the criminal damage statute which states that it is illegal to impair the function of another's property.

"Obviously, (the camera) isn't photographing people when it's covered," Carbajal said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Tempe police at 480-350-8311.

Video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T43LtGNFLPw

[silverback07]

awesome!

[PrezidentRedz]

X2 double awesome!

[Motoknuckle]

Thank god! I hate those damn things!

[trcksr4grls]

That is sooooooo kool!!!

[Homer J]

That's freakin great!