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http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/2009/02/09/20090209cr-banditsigns0211.html
Chandler looks to crack down on 'bandit' road signs
The Arizona Republic
by Edythe Jensen - Feb. 9, 2009 11:03 AM
Exploding numbers of illegal roadside signs have Chandler looking at ways to stop them -- including tougher enforcement and volunteer cleanup crews.
"We certainly understand the economic conditions, but we still need to prevent blight," said Rick Brzuchalski, code enforcement manager. He estimates the number of illegal signs - including those propped along sidewalks to bring customers into struggling local shops and restaurants - have doubled since last year. But with his staff of seven and growing numbers of complaints about weeds on vacant properties, Brzuchalski said a comprehensive sign crackdown would be difficult. Complicating the job is the difficulty officials have finding the business or individuals responsible for the signs, which usually advertise Web sites or toll-free phone numbers with no clear ownership, he said.
Appearance isn't the city's only concern. Brzuchalski said illegal signs distract motorists who try to copy information while they're driving and can blow into roadway causing accidents or damage to vehicles and tires.
"They're called bandit signs for a reason. Bandits are roadway criminals," he said.
Greg Wilson,owner of The Sign Bandit based in Ormond Beach Florida, said demand for inexpensive roadside signs is high and their cost low compared to other forms of advertising. His service creates and places signs without permits in cities across the country, including Chandler. "Phoenix is a hot area and laws are fairly liberal in your neck of the woods," he said, adding his company won't place signs where business owners are fined for using them. And he says he monitors weather reports to make sure workers don't place signs when they're likely to blow away.
They're popular with sellers of real estate and investments, debt consolidators, loan modifiers and dating services, Wilson said. Some of his clients request signs that look like they're hand-written. Business can get 20 or more calls from 100 signs, which is considered a good response, he said, adding his workers were installing 13,000 roadside temporary signs across the country on Friday.
Chandler requires permits for most signs, but not yard sale or political signs. However, the city code says officials should give written notice to the owner before removal unless the sign is deemed "unsafe, defective or a traffic hazard." Repeat offenders who re-install signs after being told to remove them can be prosecuted and fined.
In 2006 under previous code enforcement manager Gregg Carr Chandler conducted a one-day sweep of city streets, removing hundreds of illegal signs and pounded into the ground and taped on utility poles. At the time Carr said he didn't believe a one-time event would halt the practice and it hasn't.
Several years ago Mesa and Gilbert teamed up to rid their cities of illegal weight loss signs posted by Herbalife distributors. Many of those distributors were prosecuted and fined and the company subsequently ordered distributors not to advertise that way.
Brzuchalski said he is collecting information from the signs, trying to track down the businesses who advertise on them before he recommends action. The first step would likely be communication and warnings, he said.
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