Published: June 05, 2006 11:32 pm            

Sign vandalism increasing in county

What makes a house a home for some folks may be the lace curtains in the window or the new side table in the den, but Walker County commissioners have found road signs make interesting decor sometimes, often at the expense of taxpayers.

“You wouldn’t believe where we find these things,” said Pct. 2 Commissioner Robert Earl Autery, whose precinct has been hit the hardest by vandals. “One time a year or two ago, I got a call from someone who found a couple of our signs in a trailer house.

“It seems as soon as we get them up, someone comes along and takes them down. Sometimes we find them off in a ditch, and other times they turn up somewhere else. Most of the time, though, they’re just an expense that’s getting out of control.”

Pct. 4 Commissioner Tim Paulsel said things are no better in his part of the county and the county is reflecting more and more often the literal toll taken on the county.

“It’s a countywide problem,” he said. “It’s an ongoing expense and it’s getting worse.”

The county budget for stolen and vandalized signs reflects about $13,000 out of the general fund yearly, but so far this year, commissioners have spent nearly $17,000 for replacements.

In Precinct 2 for example, the budget allows $25,000 for signs and culverts, and Autery has already spent nearly $3,000 of that for sign materials.

Commissioners are seeking ways to police the situation, but there are not enough of them or enough time or money to stake out roadsigns. Solutions like offering a reward or implementing a county fine for anyone caught in the act have been brought up among the group of commissioners, but no proposal officially has been made in the courtroom.

“We need to have something for people to be concerned enough to turn these people in, and we’re working on that,” Autery said.

County District Attorney David Weeks said anyone caught stealing a sign can be charged with theft, which would be a Class B misdemeanor that could bring up to six months in jail, up to a $2,000 fine or both. Weeks added that the cost to taxpayers is not only monetary.

“Anytime you take roadsigns that impact emergency services or if you take road control signs like stop signs, someone could get hurt or killed, and the thief could face more serious charges,” Weeks said. “It’s foolish to steal or damage signs and really thoughtless. People need to think about those people they care about who might be in need of emergency service or who might get in an accident because the sign is missing.”

In a tour of Precinct 2 on Monday, Autery pointed out problem areas and signage which has been replaced time and again.

One example was the intersection of Champ Anderson and Scales Ranch Road, where no stop signs remain. Because county roads are often tree-lined, a driver cannot count on visibility and safety without a stop sign in place.

“It’s always been a problem, ever since I was in office, but we’re seeing it more on the budget because the cost of materials has gone up,” Autery said.

The county switched from traditional metal road signs to fiberglass several years ago, and recently made the change to corrugated Chloroplast signs.

“We tried to be economical about it,” said Sherri Pegoda, administrative assistant to the county judge. “Every precinct is different, but when we switched to the plastic signs, we really thought, ‘Who would want those?’ But nothing has really changed.”

Signs that are most frequently taken are roads with proper names, like Roberts Road and Dickey Loop in Precinct 2. Signs marking Birdwell Road have been replaced three times already this budget year.

Other signs are simply vandalized with firearms or some other method of destruction. Poles are often warped, requiring replacement as well.

“We actually find some of them in a ditch, but that’s rare,” Autery said. “We’ve had theft of other, more expensive signs, too. Once, we were working about 300 yards down one of these roads out here and someone just came along and took the ‘Men at Work’ signs we had posted. Those cost quite a bit to replace.”

Commissioners are asking county citizens to take note of missing and vandalized signs to report to their precinct.

“We need to do something, and we’re working on that,” Autery said.





Preparing for the Fourth

Walker County commissioners on Monday banned all skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins, for sale and usage, by adopting an order regulating fireworks for the Fourth of July. Other types of aerials, like mortars, are acceptable.

Commissioners had until June 15 to make a decision, but all agreed sooner was better than later because vendors would need to be notified as soon as possible.

Huntsville Fire Chief Tom Grisham explained although predicting the weather on July 4 is impossible, taking a precaution before drought conditions set in is wise.

“I don’t think this will affect the vendors, but we need to give them notice,” he said. “My recommendation is adopting what the state allows.”

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.