Observer Online | Viewpoints | State, County Should Cash in on Sign Abuse

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Posted Dec. 27, 2002

State, County Should Cash in on Sign Abuse

To the editor:

It is amazing to me, considering how cash-strapped the state and county are, that they are completely ignoring an easy revenue source and also a chance to beautify the community.

The area is being absolutely bombed with real estate signs, apartment signs, carpet repair signs, plumbing signs, etc. etc. These are clearly in violation of state law which imposes a $100 fine for each instance plus additional removal cost. The state and county are clearly making no effort to clear these signs and fine the sign suppliers and so we are getting more of these cardboard weeds.

I have read that they claim it is "too hard" because they are not sure who put in the signs. That is easy! Read the sign! If it is an apartment or a developer, drive out to the apartment and developer and drop a nice $100 summons plus cost on the manager's desk. If it is someone like a plumber or carpet repairer, call them up, have them show up and hand them a friendly $100 ticket.

They may say it takes too much effort. An officer can lift the signs in about 5 or 10 minutes and then drive out to the sign dropper (assuming apartment or developer) and can drop multiple $100 summonses (since the signs are usually placed every 100 feet). One hour of police work, $1,000 in fines.

That's an excellent return on investment!

I don't understand the logic of many of these sign droppers since they are trashing the communities where they are trying to sell properties or apartments and I don't understand why they don't trust people to follow directions to their site and must remind them every five seconds.

Still, if they want to continue with this unfortunate and inconsiderate marketing tactic, the state and county should not miss the opportunity to reap the benefits.

Bill Bernstein

Herndon