Good point. It's public money that funded it. Just like drug research. We should be demanding ownership over the fruits of our tax dollars

"but it's a good thing that folks are still willing to fight for it"

This is at least as likely to be theft as much as civic action. There are far easier ways one might permanently inhibit these cameras than cutting them down and taking them away.

A handful of thieves/activists are not "the people". A town hall, vote etc... would have the backing of "the people". If that happens and theyre still not removed, then perhaps actions like these might be justified.