May 8, 2011
We need them
— Theft of road signs costs Garrett County about $5,000 a year, as we reported recently, but other locations have similar problems.
For one thing, college town street signs frequently wind up on the walls of dormitory rooms.
Other than as souvenirs, why do people take them? Garrett County officials indicate they sometimes are sold to scrap metal salvage operations or to use as a side plate for four-wheelers.
Although some of the attrition stems from damage in accidents, at least of the traffic signs that must be replaced are the result of theft.
It’s not just an expensive nuisance. Road signs are placed where they are for important reasons. For one thing, they provide information that motorists and pedestrians need. For another, they are a vital safety feature.
Because someone apparently thought it was a prank, a stop sign was removed from a busy four-way intersection in Florida 15 years ago.
Three young men in a car drove through the intersection without stopping and were killed when their vehicle was hit by a large truck.
Three teen-agers were convicted of first-degree manslaughter in connection with the sign’s removal and sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 15 years suspended and five years’ probation after their release. An appeals court later threw out the convictions because of prosecution errors. The state eventually dropped the case rather than re-try it due to lack of evidence.
Regardless of the defendants’ guilt or innocence, three lives young lives were needlessly ended before their time.
Theft of road signs in Garrett County is subject to prosecution as a misdemeanor offense that could result in up to 18 months in jail and a $500 fine.
Those who observe such thefts should report them to police. A monetary reward may be awarded but, more than that, a life may be saved.
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