Looking for some help in collecting signs around polk county. Need to organize some people so we can spread out and cover the entire polk county area. I started my route and after about 2-3 weeks the sign posters got the idea and stopped posting. I'm sure there just posting in different locations now.

Hi:

You know, one thing that helped immensely in Denver was applying CAUSS stickers to their signs there. Stickers:

- Tell spammers that real people will not tolerate their illegal signs.

- Get the attention of the media who then generate news stories there.

- Let Code Enforcement know that people are aware that they are not doing their job there. They're more likely to devote time, energy, and budget to removing illegal signs in their jurisdiction.

- Recruit new sharks there in order to help keep their neighborhoods clean. They're like to to help; they're simply of need of tacit approval that they can remove signs in their neighborhoods.

Do a search for "CAUSS stickers" in the general and Colorado threads.

DenverShark

Just wanted you to know we have a good group of volunteers here in Hillsborough County, FL. And we're trained and approved by Hillsborough County CE.

In 2011, we removed over 51,000 signs around the County. That's a LOT of money going into the dumpster; but the County looks better for it! We've even garnered a news story from our local ABC Action News (CH-28) about our efforts.

As DenverShark suggests, get with your County CE and ask about getting a volunteer program started there. We're certainly making a difference here. Best of luck...

Wow - great work!

I called polk county code enforcement and they just seemed uninterested and overwhelmed by the amount of foreclosures and other issues more important. I understood and thought I could gather community support and do our own program. We recently had a guy pull a gun out over a dispute over pulling a sign. I've found that I've been patrolling my area once a day and finally I see that there are less signs. I'm hoping to expand my area and see what happens.

Hey - don't get discouraged. It took me nearly 18 months of trying before our local CE staff would allow me to become the 1st volunteer. It really helped that one of our County attorneys agreed that citizens could legally remove signs. Bottom line: this took a lot of effort, coordination and discussion before it became a reality.

As for the gun being pulled, I can believe it. I've been yelled at, had cars honk their horn at me, got the "single-finger good luck sign" more than once. We always stress safety, and to NEVER get into a confrontation over a $3 sign. It's not worth it...

Best of luck out there! And keep up the good work.

I don't like the idea of putting a sticker over the sign. I don't know of any groups in Polk County but if you have the contact info I'd like it. I talked to Polk City Code about forming a group but we shall see. She was either dazed or confused when I first presented her with what I was doing and the fact that I ran out of room in my trash containers for the signs. Which if you cut in half actually do fit rather nice....

I am interested in pulling the signs in the north lakeland-kathleen area.Have made a dent but lots more work needs to be done. Any and all help would be appreciated.

I live in Lakeland and I would like to be apart of this group.
I can pull signs in south lakeland once a week.
South Lakeland is quite a large area,and I hope there are more people in south lakeland who will commit to pulling signs in south lakeland as well.
Here are the main roads in south lakland that need to be targeted in pulling signs.

1) South Florida Ave.
2) Drane Field Road (Airport area)
3)Pipkin Road
4)Shepherd Road
5)540A (This road runs in between S. Fl. Ave all the way down to Bartow Hwy)

It's nice to see more people getting involved.....GO GET EM Florida Sharks!


Making a positive difference!

Some people on craigslist are postings that there's alot of signs on the south side - true? Could help out on occasions

Been cleaning up Cypress Gardens Blvd in Winter Haven for some months now.

Forget the code enforcement people in Polk County. They could not care less.

Tried that route several years ago and have found that the Polk County Deputies will actually defend the signs and discourage their clean up at different times.

I still load em up though.

Ha ha.... didn't realize that CAUSS had died. Last post for press releases was back in 03. I guess the litterers won the war. I guess it's safe to put the signs up now. Echo....echo.....echo....echo.....echo.....

There’s a saying, "if it's meant to be, it's up to me". Do all you can to rid spam from your area, at least you will know that you’re doing the right thing.

At times I think to myself "Doing a good job here is like wetting yourself in a dark suit, it gives you a warm feeling but nobody notices". Rest assured people do notice.

Charles,

Making a positive difference!

I spend about 2 hours per day 6 days per week. Just got back from riding my entire area and not one sign to be found. They must be taking a break....

I pull signs on my way to work or errands, don't really go out of my way. I take different way's to my work / errands to cover as much area or trouble areas...