Local News - August 2003

Road sign vandalism incidents declining

Published August 8, 2003

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

The number of road signs being vandalized or stolen has drastically decreased since last summer, officials say.

In July 2002 it was reported that more than 75 road signs were damaged or taken during a period spanning several months.

Officials were concerned that the lack of signs could lead to dangerous situations in which emergency personnel could not locate an address.

“It all boils down to 911 — can we find where the street is?” said Billy Warren, county addressing enforcement specialist.

It cost the county more than $10,000 including manpower to repair or replace those damaged signs, officials said. Each sign costs roughly $75.

Thankfully, Warren said, the county has not seen a high number of thefts or vandalisms recently.

“It’s been pretty cool this summer,” he said. “It’s a complete turnaround since last summer.”

In July, county workers had to replace just six signs, he said.

Warren estimates that 10 signs were vandalized all summer.

County workers noticed one day that two-thirds of the signs on Cat Square Road had been knocked down, Warren said.

“They were all there, they just pushed them all down,” he said.

The most commonly stolen signs are those with girls’ first names, Warren said. Last summer, the Amy Drive sign had to be replaced four times.

Another common problem that could hinder emergency response time is the lack of visible numbers being posted on homes, Warren said.

About 35 percent of Lincoln County residents have not properly displayed their house numbers, he said.

A county ordinance requires numbers at least 3 and ½ inches tall on homes that can be seen from the road. If a house is set off the major highway or street, the numbers should be posted on a stake near the road. Mailboxes don’t count.

He estimates that about 98 percent of local businesses have put up their addresses.

“Businesses have been nothing short of fantastic,” Warren said.

While he is pleased with the progress Lincoln County residents are making with displaying the numbers, he said that 35 percent “need to pick up the pace.”

He gives residents friendly reminders when he sees they aren’t in compliance.

“I’m constantly on the road,” Warren said. “If I see people in their yards while doing regular duties, I’ll remind them.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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