Well, I pretty much struck out in NL. I went down the whole length of Pequat Ave and then up Montaquak and up and down Ocean Ave. Not one sign! Swung on to Home depot and grabbed a lage Robo Grip Pliers Snagged some pay phone spam @ the Mobile station right by 95. Went over the Gold Star and got off the first right side exit, right by the Roller skating rink. Hung a left and went back up to Rt. 1/ Rt. 12. Went up Rt. 12 towards the Sub Base and hit jackpot! In short, Rt. 12 from Navy Housing all the way to Gales Ferry has been *Heavily* spammed! I hadn't assembled the shark stick with utility knfe yet, so missed a few signs right by the Intersection in fron of the base. I got a total of 15 pay phone spams and 10 sign spams from ~8 seperate spammers. The missed signs are from "Have a computer, put it to work" spammer. I called all the numbers and told them that, "I've been assigned to patrol the area for illegle advertising and your signs have been removed." I've arranged with a friend to go out this coming Sat. with a step ladder to patrol in and around Groton / Ledyard / Gales Ferry / New London areas. I'll keep you guys posted as to were I've hit. The sign at the end of Rt. 16 north of Portland is going down tomarrow on way home from work.

Cheers,

~Jason

--

Flakier wrote:

>I've arranged with a friend to go out this coming Sat. with a step ladder

You really ought to try a Sharky Stick, and don't bother with a step ladder...

Sharky's own instructions on making one:

To make your own, buy a 10' piece of metal conduit from Home Depot or a similar store. I use 1.25 inch conduit. While you are there, pick up two 2.5" or 3" bolt, and a four washers, and a couple of nuts. Total cost, about five bucks, and you can make two sign-sticks.

You can cut it at home with a hacksaw or a pipe cutter. If you already know the length you want, they will sometimes cut it for you in the store, or loan you a pipe cutter.

The length you want depends on your vehicle. My trunk holds a stick about four foot long, so that's what I use. I also have a shorter sign stick with is often convenient, and I've jury-rigged an extension so I can put two sticks together for a 8' stick. I rarely need it, but it helps when someone thinks that by using a ladder to put them up high that they'll last.

With the conduit cut to length, drill a hole so that you can put the bolt through, and add the bolt. When you're done, you've got a pole with a spike on one end. On occassion, I've tried sharpening the bolt, but it really isn't necessary.

Just whack the sign from behind, point first, and the sign comes off. The poles weight does most of the work. Sometimes the sign goes flying off, but most of the time the bolt penetrates the sign, then the pole knocks the sign loose. The threads on the bolt keep the sign on the pole so you don't have to chase after it.

You can, of course, buy various poles that extend, but they all seem very flimsy. Without as much weight, they don't work as well, and I suspect they would fall apart if treated roughly. My stick has knocked down lots of signs, including some wood signs from time to time, and it still works just fine.

In another thread, I saw someone asking about using a rope to remove them. I used to do that, before I started using a sign stick. It worked, but it was fairly time consuming to get the rope positioned right on any sign that was high enough you couldn't just grab it and pull. The sign stick just knocks 'em right off, and you can move on down the road.

I've used mine for a couple of years now, and I'll never go back to carrying a ladder again...
--
Remora
Remora@Resourceful.com

remora
--
remora@resourceful.com

>You really ought to try a
>Sharky Stick, and don't bother
>with a step ladder...

Yea, That would be best I s'pose. I saw these drywall cutters at the home depot that would be perfect I think. The blade is shaped kinda like a sickle in a hook shape, though much smaller. I think that may be perfect, but I've got to figure out a good way to attach it so I can take it on and off as it's kinda dangerous to have floating around the car. I also would like to try and find a telescoping pole of some sort as my car is smallish.

~Jason

--

I
>called all the numbers and
>told them that, "I've been
>assigned to patrol the area
>for illegle advertising and your
>signs have been removed

More later, but I had to tell you that's a GREAT opening line to use in the phone calls! "I've been assigned" is vaguely official-sounding, but you're not implying having been assigned by any offical agency. Brilliant!

I've also been thinking of getting a windbreaker and having the following stenciled across the back:

STATE OF CT
STATUTE ENFORCEMENT

It would look like the ones the cops / FBI / marshals wear, and wouldn't be lying...taking down the signs IS enforcing Paragraph 23-65 of the CT General Statures, which specifically classifies these signs as common litter. I carry a copy in my car in case there are any police officers who don't know about it. Though so far, every time a cop has seen me ripping down signs (about 20 time, both local and State), I've just gotten big smiles from them.

Redstone

>More later, but I had to
>tell you that's a GREAT
>opening line to use in
>the phone calls! "I've been
>assigned" is vaguely official-sounding, but
>you're not implying having been
>assigned by any offical agency.
>Brilliant!

hehe, thx!

>
>I've also been thinking of getting
>a windbreaker and having the
>following stenciled across the back:
>
>
>STATE OF CT
>STATUTE ENFORCEMENT
>
>It would look like the ones
>the cops / FBI /
>marshals wear, and wouldn't be
>lying...taking down the signs IS
>enforcing Paragraph 23-65 of the
>CT General Statures, which specifically
>classifies these signs as common
>litter. I carry a copy
>in my car in case
>there are any police officers
>who don't know about it.

That's a good idea, so far I've been hesitent to work during the day at this. I guess I fear that there would be a perception of wrongdoing/ causing trouble etc...

>Though so far, every time
>a cop has seen me
>ripping down signs (about 20
>time, both local and State),
>I've just gotten big smiles
>from them.

Cool ,that's heartening to hear. Also, I've recieved more than a positive response from 100% of the people I've told of my activities. One of my roomates works at Electric Boat and is keeping an eye on that immediate vacinity. My hope is to gain more support from others to cover the wide area affected by the trash. I managed to take down the annoying sign @ the end of Rt. 16 East Hampton I think is the town, and to my dismay there were 3 more that I'd never noticed in the imediate vacinity. I was able to get 3 of the 4 total, but the last is needing the "trial by utility knife."

~Jason

--

>That's a good idea, so far
>I've been hesitent to work
>during the day at this.

I was snagging one on Route 156 this morning, with a State cop parked directly across the road. Was a little concerned when I remembered I'd left my wallet in another jacket, but I waved to him and he gave me a thubs-up.

Search www.state.ct.us to find Section 23-65 of the Connecticut General Statuets. Print a copy to carry with you in case there any cops who don't know the signs are illegal.

Wearing a suit while you're sharking doesn't hurt, either.

Redstone

>Search www.state.ct.us to find Section 23-65
>of the Connecticut General Statuets.
>Print a copy to carry
>with you in case there
>any cops who don't know
>the signs are illegal.

I think I'll do that right away. Should do wonders for my peace of mind.

>Wearing a suit while you're sharking
>doesn't hurt, either.

Drat, I really don't get to wear a suit very often. (if I did, the bosses would probably be thinking I was looking for another job perhaps) Oh well, I do generaly dress well enough though (button-down and nice slacks much of the time)

~Jason

--

>Also, I've recieved more than
>a positive response from 100%
>of the people I've told
>of my activities.

Just a note from one of the 100% -


Planning on keeping my eyes open here in Pittsburg, CA.


Keep up the good work, Jason!

>Just a note from one of the 100% -
>
>Planning on keeping my eyes open here in Pittsburg, CA.
>
>Keep up the good work, Jason!
>
Yeah, Jason's really tearing 'em up all over New London County. His energy and enthusiasm have been a great boost to our efforts in Connecticut.

Can you do us a favor, and drop a note in the California forum when you get back out there? It would be good for us to have a better idea of the signs spam situation from various parts of the state.

Thanks for your interest and comments.

Redstone

Red,

> that's a GREAT opening line to use in the phone calls! "I've been assigned" is vaguely official-sounding, but you're not implying having been assigned by any offical agency. Brilliant! <

Yes!

> I've also been thinking of getting a windbreaker and having the following stenciled across the back: <

My wife is getting me a heavy sweat shirt next month (for Xmas) with "Sign Man" printed on it. Actually, she's getting two, with the other for a friend who occasionally grabs signs.

> taking down the signs IS enforcing Paragraph 23-65 of the CT General Statures, which specifically classifies these signs as common litter. <

Do you happen to have a copy of that? Or do you have it in "electronic" form that you can email to me?

> every time a cop has seen me ripping down signs (about 20 time, both local and State), I've just gotten big smiles from them. <

Same here. Once I was grabbing a sign at about 1:30 am and a policewoman pulled over and asked what I was doing. Before I could answer she said, "Oh, you're grabbing your signs," apparently knowing of my efforts.

--Ethan

This is really good; knowing the areas you've swept will save me some driving around. I'm going to try to sweep the Rte. 1 / Waterford through Broad Street Waterford / New London by the end of the week, will post an update. Last time I was in New London (2 weeks ago), the corner of Broad St and Rte 1 where all the car dealers are had a bunch of signs, so I'll try to clean that one up.

Rte 1 from the Rte 161 intersection in Flanders through Old Lyme is nice and clean. You mentioned Route 156; I've only ever seen signs from one spammer on that road, and they were from the "uwilltoo" guy who I think I've scared out of the area. I'll run down there for a look early next week.

I came back from Massachusetts on I-395 today; did not have a lot of time but jumped off a few exits. Here's what I saw: - Putnam though Killingly on Route 12 is pretty clean; just some of those pathetic hand-written signs about losing weight, without even a toll-free number (just a local). I got 'em.

Snagged a few around exit 83 in Baltic. they lookedlike they'd been there a while. A quick look off exit 80 showed nice clean phone poles. Probably your work.

I was not able to jump off the exit in Preston where the new Home Depot is, but I could see lots of signs from the highway (to be expected with a new shopping center there). Let me know if you'll be able to get up there soon or not. If you can't I'll make the trip because it's a "virgin" area where we need to send our "off-limits" message.

Good to hear from you. See the post I'm going to be putting in the general forum in a few minutes about a new form of sign spam.

Redstone

>This is really good; knowing the
>areas you've swept will save
>me some driving around. I'm
>going to try to sweep
>the Rte. 1 / Waterford
>through Broad Street Waterford /
>New London by the end
>of the week, will post
>an update. Last time I
>was in New London (2
>weeks ago), the corner of
>Broad St and Rte 1
>where all the car dealers
>are had a bunch of
>signs, so I'll try to
>clean that one up.

Oh yea, there was a "4x8 Sheds for sale" sign there on one of the corners. It looked plywood so I didn't even try for it.


>
>I came back from Massachusetts on
>I-395 today; did not have
>a lot of time but
>jumped off a few exits.
>Here's what I saw: -
>Putnam though Killingly on Route
>12 is pretty clean; just
>some of those pathetic hand-written
>signs about losing weight, without
>even a toll-free number (just
>a local). I got 'em.

I've got a friend who lives up in Putnum. I'm gona ask him to keep an eye up there.

><...> A
>quick look off exit 80
>showed nice clean phone poles.
>Probably your work.

Actually, I remember some affordable health insurance signs went up a while back, but they were gone with in a week!

>I was not able to jump
>off the exit in Preston
>where the new Home Depot
>is, but I could see
>lots of signs from the
>highway (to be expected with
>a new shopping center there).
>Let me know if you'll
>be able to get up
>there soon or not.

I'll make the trip, maybe even as early as tamarrow, uh...er...later on today It's not far for me.

>Good to hear from you. See
>the post I'm going to
>be putting in the general
>forum in a few minutes
>about a new form of
>sign spam.

Yea, that sucks, I sure hope they don't put that kinda stuff up around here. Well, I'd be taken down in no time now. *g*

~Jason

--

>>I was not able to jump
>>off the exit in Preston
>>where the new Home Depot
>>is, but I could see
>>lots of signs from the
>>highway (to be expected with
>>a new shopping center there).
>>Let me know if you'll
>>be able to get up
>>there soon or not.
>
>I'll make the trip, maybe even
>as early as tamarrow, uh...er...later
>on today
>It's not far for me.



Right, went up there today after work and grabbed an "affordable Health insurance right accross from the main entrance to Wal-Mart/Home Depot. Right at the exit I grabbed 4 seperate signs. www.bigDoughAtHome.com and the rest generic toll-free. Back in Norwich I actually found one (riseUp2Dreams.com) a few blocks from home next to a newspaper machine. Surprisingly, I didn't find any pay-phone spam. There was plenty of evidence suggesting prior spam though. Tape residue *all* over the insides of many.





I was steamed to notice a spammer has a sign on a stake in his/her front yard along Rt. 12 in Norwich Just down from the old Thermos factory. I'm assumng that it's (unfortunatly) legal to do such a thing so I think I won't touch it. I think I may print out the Van Druff article and leave it in their front door.



I was talking with my roomate who used to work for Foxwoods and he says it's quite common for them to leaflet cars up there. Also the same ol' utility pole spam as well. That will be a target area this weekend as well as Groton and perhaps more of New London.


~Jason

--

Flakier wrote:

>I was steamed to notice a spammer has a sign on a stake in his/her front
>yard along Rt. 12 in Norwich Just down from the old Thermos factory. I'm
>assumng that it's (unfortunatly) legal to do such a thing so I think I won't
>touch it. I think I may print out the Van Druff article and leave
>it in their front door.

1. I agree, don't mess with signs in someone else's yard. Regardless of whether it's legal or not, that's one for Code Enforcement to deal with.

2. But do let Code Enforcement know about it! Perhaps the person living there has plastered signs elsewhere, and by being so stupid as to put a sign in their own yard, they've made it trivial for Code Enforcement to find them --- and hopefully cite them for other signs.
--
Remora
Remora@Resourceful.com

remora
--
remora@resourceful.com

Echo those remarks loud and clear.

We had a spammer and part time student at one of our major local universities in the Dallas area doing basically the same thing.

He had the url plastered in the rear window of his car and on magnectic signs of the car doors. His 12x18 coroplast signs were at every major intersection along I-35 from Far North Dallas to the University area. He also had "pocket spam" in every major shopping center telephone bank in the area.

But the big kicker, as revealed by "betterwhois.com", he was using an email address from the Computer Sciences department of the University.

To resolve this problem, we flooded the university admin. office and computer sciences department with emails of protest. Just happened to be my Alma Mater. In addition we forwarded his MO and vehicle description to all the area CE offices.

This sucker was shut down in very short order. Never heard from him again.

GreatWhite-BH (GW)
No.Texas Chapter - CAUSS
signbuster@aol.com

GW