That's exactly what I advocate. Better yet, google "gatso britain". You'll find lots of great ideas for what these things deserve.
Looks like the preferred method of destruction is a tyre (or tire) filled with petrol (or gas) what a stupid design, it seems they where made to hold the tyre (tire) perfectly while it burned and cooked the machine.
Some of the empty housings still stand in Minneapolis a a reminder... Many have had things done to them ;)
These things must make a lot of money if they can afford to replace them after complete destruction over and over again.