Signs, signs everywhere are signs. You've seen them: corrugated plastic signs tacked to a wooden stake (you know, the ones advertising work from home job opportunities, weight loss products, singles networks, get rich quick schemes, cleaning services, and, yes, sign companies!). A quick drive around Henry County can seem like a trip through the Yellow Pages. They line the street right-of-ways, clutter our medians, and crowd busy intersections. You'll find them nailed to utility poles and stuck on vacant, private property. They are like a pop-up ad on the Internet or a telephone call from a telemarketer; annoying, but unavoidable. As a true southerner might say, it's like visual kudzu. I call them "litter on a stick," but they are also known as "street spam" or "bandit signs." What you may not realize is that it is illegal to place these signs in the right-of-way (the strip of land on either side of a public road that the county, city, or state maintains) and, of course, on private property (unless permission is granted from the property owner). I'm not talking about temporary signs advertising blood drives, lost dogs, community events, or school and church activities. The majority of the offending signs advertise out of area businesses, products, or services, and many are scams that target people down on their luck.
These signs are a blight on our community. They attract other litter and make our neighborhoods look dirty. They can also be a safety hazard by blocking views or distracting drivers.
These signs are a blight on our community. They attract other litter and make our neighborhoods look dirty. They can also be a safety hazard by blocking views or distracting drivers.
Henry County Code Enforcement should be contacted when you see these signs. Even though these signs are considered "abandoned property," you should let the authorities handle their removal unless you are told otherwise. Problem areas that are frequented by repeat offenders may need special attention. Tell your friends and neighbors that we can all work together to keep our county clean by letting our officials know that we are fed up with this.
Henry County Code Enforcement can be reached at (770) 288-6200.
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This is good to know! I see them every day and didn't know it was illegal. Do the policemen drive past them every day ever remove them or report them?
ReplyDeleteHi Catrina. Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, with cutbacks in staff and enforcement dollars, the removal of these signs is hard to police. And more seem to pop-up just as soon as others are taken down. I have taken down several of these signs myself that I know are placed illegally. The ones tacked to utility poles are never allowed. If you are unsure what to do, always err on the side of caution and contact Henry County Code Enforcement at (770) 288-6200. Thanks, again, for your feedback.
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