ArlVaShark posted the below in the Virginia Forum. It really deserves front-page attention as this NEWS Media story shows a co-coordinated community effort to combat litter.

Loudoun County Launches Volunteer Program to Remove Illegal Signs "

April 28, 2009 Loudoun County Launches Volunteer Program to Remove Illegal Signs

Loudoun County has launched a volunteer sign collection program to remove illegally placed signs from within the Commonwealth of Virginia’s right-of-ways located in the county.

More than 40 volunteers attended a recent orientation and safety program and were briefed on the program guidelines. The volunteers will supplement the use of existing staff resources for the effort.

"In addition to our efforts with staff and volunteers, we’re also asking for cooperation from the private sector in curtailing the placement of illegal advertisements along the county roadways," said Keith Fairfax, Loudoun County Zoning Enforcement Program Manager.

The Code of Virginia prohibits advertising within the limit of any highway, which includes the roadway, shoulders, and median strips. Penalties for placing such illegal signs can include the removal of the advertisement, a $100 fine, and having to pay the costs of removal. Businesses that routinely place illegal signs in right-of-ways could be subject to injunctive actions through the court to prevent their continued placement of illegal signs.

The pilot program will run through June 30, 2009, at which time staff will report back to the Board of Supervisors on the effectiveness of the program efforts and will receive direction on continuing the effort.

For additional information, please call 703-777-0397 or send an e-mail to keith.fairfax@loudoun.gov.

Contact: Keith Fairfax, Zoning Enforcement Program Manager, 703-777-0397

Loudoun County Government
1 Harrison Street, S.E. • Leesburg VA 20175
703-777-0100

http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=2588

This will definitely help me. I’m meeting with my local City Councilman, City Attorney and CE on June 8th to put together a Volunteer program in our City. They asked that I provide as much information from other City's that are currently providing volunteer programs.

Making a difference and keeping it clean

Free classes aimed at fighting blight in your neighborhood

PHOENIX, AZ - Free training for the Blight Buster Volunteer Program starts Tuesday and more than 50 people have already signed up to eliminate graffiti around the Valley.

During the four-course period, volunteers will learn how to clean up alley ways and remove illegal signs and graffiti.

...more

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/central_phoenix/free-classes-aimed-at-fighting-blight-in-your-neighborhood

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The city of Arlington,TX has the Code Ranger Program.
Austin,TX has a program.

Texas has state laws that encourage cities to have a program like this.

Small, illegal signage now in the crosshairs of volunteers
28/04/2011 11:25:00 Melody_Jameson

...Story

Driven by mandates to reduce costs, code enforcement instituted the volunteer program about a year ago, according to Andy Pfeiffer, an inspector as well as supervisor who conducts the training classes. “We were charged to do more with less,” he noted.

Added to this is the fact that many citizens are very much concerned with the appearances of their roads and streets, and are inveterate sign pullers independently before becoming formal volunteers, Pfeiffer said.

Currently, five trained volunteers are collecting the illegal signage around the county.

Another eight have completed the classroom work and now are undergoing background checks through the county’s human resources section, reports which then will be reviewed by the county attorney’s office, Pfeiffer noted. Once vetted, Hillsborough County style, the volunteers are to be equipped with orange vests and authorizing identification, he added.

Anne Cross, a Sun City Center resident, is among the group of eight new volunteers and the only one identified as living in the South County.

,,,the rest of the story...

http://www.observernews.net/thisweek/front_page/3532-Small-illegal-signage-now-the-crosshairs-volunteers.html

City seeks help removing illegal signs

04:44 PM, May. 16, 2011
Written by
News-Leader staff

The city again is turning to residents for help removing illegal signs from public right-of-way.

City code prohibits the placement of advertisements on public right-of-way, generally defined as the area from the street curb to the outer edge of a public sidewalk. Signs and advertisements also are banned on utility poles.

The ordinance typically is enforced only on a complaint basis or when Public Works employees mow grass, but the city hopes to step up sign removal with help from the public.

About 25 people volunteered for an earlier effort in the fall, the city...

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For the rest of the story...

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20110516/NEWS01/110516031/1007/?odyssey=nav|head

Published Wednesday June 8, 2011
Your sign may be in storage

By Ellen Jean Hirst
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

If your sign was taken down by the Omaha Coalition of Citizen Patrols on Sunday, you may be able to get it back.

The signs are stored at the street maintenance building at 52nd and Dayton Streets. The building is open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and people can come look for their signs in bins past the front gate, on the right.

The Omaha Coalition of Citizen Patrols spent Sunday taking down signs for garage sales and lawn services, among other signs placed on public property without a permit. It is illegal to place signs in the right of way, the section of land between the sidewalk and curb. About 150 signs were taken down or marked Sunday.

Chris Costantakos, president of the Omaha Coalition of Citizen Patrols, suggested people put signs in their yards, or ask neighbors’ permission to place signs in their yards.

But Mary Ann Hayes, an Omaha Realtor, says there should be an exception for real estate signs.

“We absolutely need those spots on Sunday afternoons to direct people to our open houses,” Hayes said.

Hayes said issuing thousands of permits each weekend would be impractical for the city.

“We shouldn’t have to get permits,” Hayes said. “That’s absurd.”

Colleen McLeay of Omaha had to take her three children to the maintenance building to retrieve her real estate sign Monday. McLeay and Hayes both said taking down garage sale signs and lawn service signs makes sense, but in today’s economy, taking down real estate signs doesn’t.

“I get why they’re doing the cleanup, but this was just a huge waste of time for everybody,” McLeay said.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110608/NEWS01/706089888/0

>McLeay and Hayes both said taking down garage sale signs and
>lawn service signs makes sense, but in today’s economy, taking
>down real estate signs doesn’t.

Where is the common sense? They agree with removing illigal signs, just not their illegal signs.

Seth

Making a positive difference!

NewsOn6.com

BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma -- A group of volunteers in Broken Arrow are cracking down on illegal signs at street corners.

The Broken Arrow Chamber Beautification Committee is encouraging residents to become volunteers with Adopt-A-Corner and help clean the city.

Volunteers gathered Saturday at the Broken Arrow City Hall for a short training session on safe sign removal. City officials say the signs are more than a nuisance, they can be dangerous when they block the right of way.

"This way as soon as the signs get up, we hope the volunteers can remove them immediately and discourage people from doing illegal placement of signs to begin with," said Wade McCaleb, who is a city councilor.

Officials estimate there are more than 140 corners to keep clean. They'd liked to start more training sessions soon.


the rest...


http://www.newson6.com/story/13177662/broken-arrow-volunteers-help-remove-illegal-signs-at-street-corners?redirected=true

East Valley Tribune

Posted: Sunday, July 3, 2011 8:00 am

On various street corners throughout Mesa, you'll find signs: Garage sale. Car wash. Sell your gold. These paper or cardboard messages can remain long past the time they are put up, littering the landscape. So the Mesa Sign Sweep Volunteers swoop in to clear out the clutter.

The City of Mesa is seeking volunteers for its official nuisance sign removal team. Volunteers help the Code Compliance Division by removing illegal signs throughout the city. Sweeps take place monthly at various times. Volunteers must provide and own a vehicle for use during sweeps. They must also have a valid Arizona driver's license and be at least 18.


Read more...

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/mesa/article_5036eaca-a1cc-11e0-aa6c-001cc4c03286.html