More and More individuals are using the power of their keyboard to tell the world about their sign situation.
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This morning my husband drove me around to take pictures of our neighborhood. In my sweatpants (it's chilly this am) no makeup and camera in hand. Yup. We've had it.
This is an Association in a Community where we pay Association dues and we don't take it too kindly when outsiders plaster signs all over the place displaying their 'wares' as a permanent sign fixture.
Chandler is targeting so-called "bandit signs" on Saturday.
Most of these signs, according to an informal city poll, are from out-of-town companies advertising products or services. They are placed illegally on light poles, in medians and along city streets.
But Chandler won't just be pulling up sign stakes this weekend. Before the errant signs are removed, an inspector will place a bright orange sticker on them that says, "SIGN VIOLATION NOTICE FOR REMOVAL." The notice will remain for a few days before the sign is removed and recycled.
It's probably more work for officers. And yes, the stickers will probably draw more attention to the signs. But someone needs to point out what's supposed to be where and what's not.
Well, let me modify that. Someone needs to point out what's supposed to where and what's not within reason. It would be going a little overboard to slap a big orange sticker on every garage sale and family reunion sign that pops up for a few hours on the weekend. As long as they're only up for a few hours and serve some directional purpose, I'm OK with that.
That being said, there is a need to tackle some of the long-standing sign clutter in this town. That goes for political signs, too. Candidates should get an owner's permission to put up signs on private property. They shouldn't have a free pass to stay up for months in the right of way.
#3. "The News Tribune --Blogs-- ---- Tacoma, WA --Pierce County----Individual Blogs " In response to Reply # 0
Pierce County launches illegal sign crackdown today
Posted by David Wickert @ 08:45:29 am
If you’re driving in unincorporated Pierce County today, you might see something you haven’t seen in a while: county road crews removing illegal signs.
The county’s public works department is launching a new crackdown on signs illegally posted in public rights of way. It’s the result of a deal over sign code enforcement struck last month between the County Council and County Executive Pat McCarthy.
As I reported in May, the county’s enforcement efforts lagged for months even though the council set aside money for the popular enforcement program. The council followed up in June by modifying the county budget to require public works to spend at least $50,000 to enforce the sign code this year.
Under the agreement between the executive and council, the public works department will revive its enforcement effort.
It won’t be full time, as in the past. But today the department launches a countywide crackdown on illegal signs in public rights of way. It’s expected to last about three weeks.
Thereafter, crews will revisit the worst intersections monthly and will sweep the busiest arterial roads each quarter. The new enforcement effort is expected to cost about $95,000 a year.
Here’s the press release announcing today’s crackdown:
#4. "livejournal.com ---- twangster --- New Orleans --- Individual Blogs " In response to Reply # 0
One Sign at a Time: Reducing Street Spam in NOLA
Tired of the ugly plastic signs on telephone poles and neutral grounds that blight the city’s landscape? This is a growing problem all over the U.S., and not just a post-Katrina phenomenon. There’s even a national group called CAUSS that works to reduce this street spam (a.k.a. bandit signs). Here’s some info on the problem in New Orleans and what you can do about it.
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Removing Street Spam
Under the law, the city could fine businesses that post illegal signs $25 per sign up to $500 (Section 66-284-f). However, the city doesn't have the staff to cite violators or make removing illegal signs a priority. So it’s left to citizens to remove them. This is explicitly permitted by the City Code, which states: "It shall be lawful for any person to remove and properly dispose of any sign or other advertisement erected in violation of this section" (Section 66-284-d).
Removing illegal signs is pretty easy, but here are a few tips that may be helpful:
#6. "Signs don’t obey, yet we must? -- Mark Woods' Blog -- The Jacksonville Times-Union " In response to Reply # 0
Signs don’t obey, yet we must?
Submitted by Mark Woods on August 15, 2010 - 4:24am Mark Woods' Blog
There is symbolism in our medians. Political signs are growing like weeds. Or maybe it’s vice versa. Weeds are growing like political signs. Either way, our rights of way are full of ’em. The weeds and tall grass were there first, signs of the economic times as the city trims the trimming. The signs sprouted as the Aug. 24 primary approached. While there are some similarities between the signs and the weeds, there is one big difference. The weeds are legal. Yard signs are legal in yards, or on private business property. But when the campaigns put signs on public space, they fall into the same category as all those “bandit” signs offering to help you lose 30 pounds, sell your house and buy a puppy.
#7. "Littering Broadway? Posted by slackmeyeron -- -- OKC Central" In response to Reply # 0
“I was in Downtown OKC and they had 4 or 5 people sticking signs in EVERYWHERE. I followed them and took pictures of them doing it and asked that they please not put them on city property. Many people have worked hard to clean up our city and the 744 crowd just marches in and decides that they want everyone on the parade route tonight to see their cause. All of a sudden this guy comes says – “How much are they paying you?” I told him no one is paying me and that I am not on either side. I am just a guy that wants the area to remain looking nice. I pull a sign out and tell him that he is violating the city code that prohibits sign placement on city property. He freaks out and starts videoing me, zooming in on my face and yelling “You are a liar, tell me NOW who you work for and how much they are paying you”. He then pushes me and saying I am a thief and I am stealing his property. I told him that he could pick his sign up at the police station. Then I I told him lets call the cops and see who is right. He again demands to know who I am. He yells, “Get out your wallet and show me your ID”. I laugh and told him he is not the boss of me and he can’t make me. I pull out my camera phone and start taking pictures of him. All of a sudden he “Ninja Kicks” my hand and knocks my phone out of my hand. Carrie and the kids are in the car on the street and watched it all. I then take a picture of his car and tag. What is interesting is that both guys were from out of state. One was from Minnesota and the other (Ninja boy) from Tennessee. Hmmmm, so who is getting paid and who is not. I honestly did not have a dog in the fight. It just pissed me off that they put like 15 signs per block along the parade route. Anyway that is the short version. I know that an organization can’t control every person that works for them but I am NOT IMPRESSED with the Yes for 744 crowd. Take a look today at how many signs are in the medians, really do we need 50 per block. Actually even one is illegal. I can tell ya how I am voting now. I thought about filing a complaint with the cops and calling the news but i figure no one cares but my FB friends.”
NOTE: I’m not taking sides on the political message shown on the sign, and it should be noted people running for political offices throughout the spectrum ROUTINELY VIOLATE the law when it comes to these signs.
