The modern understanding of what a "hero" is varies depending on who you're talking to. Should you hop on social media, X (former Twitter) specifically, you might be surprised to find that a "hero" is what most other people would classify as a vandal.
Flexman is one such modern hero. According to many angry Italians, he's just like Batman: the hero the country deserves but not the one it needs right now, a man willing to deliver social justice even if that means fighting a losing battle, giving the system the middle finger whichever chance he gets.
Flexman's biggest – and so far, only – fight is against speed cameras.
Starting last May, he's been taking them out systematically one by one, and you can tell which one has been disabled by him from his M.O.: they're fixed speed cameras mounted on poles by the side of municipal and state roads in Northern Italy, the kind that snaps a photo of the speeding vehicle, which the police later mail to your home address with the corresponding fine.
Flexman disables them by taking an angle grinder to the base of the pole at night, and he always strikes between 1 and 2 o'clock in the morning. His name is derived from his tool of choice, which is referred to as a "flex" in many EU countries.
Photo: newsauto.it
According to local reports, Flexman has taken out eight speed cameras so far, and with each new one, his public profile received a fresh boost to the point where he's come to be regarded as some kind of a beacon of hope for frustrated motorists.
Flexman's most recent outing was just before Christmas, and it was captured on camera. The video below was shot on the occasion. We assume the other masked guy making an appearance must be the Robin equivalent for this masked crusader.
Jokes aside, as people are rushing online to praise the "hero," police are hoping reason will prevail, telling the media that such acts fall under Article 635 of the Italian Penal Code for the destruction of property and carry a prison sentence. The more obvious issue is that taking down speed cameras isn't really a solution to a problem but rather a way of contributing to it. Fight the system if you will, but try not to burn through taxpayers' money when you do.
Speeding fines in Italy start at €42 ($46) for driving 10 kph (6.2 mph) over the legal speed limit and can reach a whopping €21,714 ($23,600) if you do 40-60 kph (25-37 mph) over that same limit. With these pole-mounted cameras, it can take up to a year for the fine to make its way to you, which is when it's best to rush out to pay it, or you could be looking at extra penalties for every day of delay.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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