They have been spray-painted, burned and shot, often under cover of darkness, keeping their gaze off motorists who have called them money-grabbing machines.

A driver in Suffolk County, Long Island used somewhat craftier means to the same ends this week. To sabotage several red-light cameras, he used an expandable pole to redirect them toward the sky, and then posted the video of his exploits online.

The footage — equal parts rant against the government and how-to guide for disgruntled drivers — has drawn renewed attention to the contentious history of the cameras on Long Island and across the country, as mixed safety results and unhappiness with fines have led some communities to take down the cameras, though without the use of garage tools.

Stephen Ruth, 42, of Centereach was arrested by the Suffolk County police on Tuesday after tips alerted them to his video. He was charged with four counts of criminal tampering and four counts of obstructing governmental administration, one for each time the police said he tampered with red-light cameras in Ronkonkoma.