The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is seeking help from the public to combat a significant increase in highway sign thefts.
While crashes have traditionally been the main cause of sign loss, according to KYTC District 1 Chief Engineer Kyle Poat, incidents of theft have been on the rise.
“In the last couple of years, we’ve noticed several areas where signs have been disappearing with some regularity,” Poat said. “We have employees who commute to work who report clusters of missing signs that are up one day and gone the next. Our sign crew puts up replacements only to have those signs disappear within a few days.”
The public is being asked to report suspicious activity to help reduce highway sign theft. State highway signs have markings that allow their date and location of installation to be identified.
District 1 is working with area police agencies to use hidden cameras to monitor locations where highway sign theft has been a persistent problem. Anyone caught in the act of stealing signs or caught on camera can be prosecuted. They also can be held liable for injuries that occur as the result of a crash due to a stolen sign.
While sign thefts have occurred in all KYTC District 1 counties, a few locations have had a significant number of thefts:
- Salem and Burna area of North Livingston County
- Parts of Graves, Marshall, and McCracken counties in the Symsonia area
- The Blackhawk area near the Lyon and Trigg County Line
Several county road departments have also reported an uptick in sign thefts. The Graves County Sheriff’s Department recently posted a request for information on sign thefts along county roads.
In some cases, transportation officials believe thieves have used farm equipment to pull up signs — post and all.
Last year, KYTC District 1 spent more than $750,000 replacing non-interstate signage in the 12-county region.
“While sign theft costs the taxpayers money, the main issue is the safety hazard that is created when a sign is stolen – – particularly if it is a stop sign,” Poat said. “We have a location where a yield sign has been stolen several times, creating a safety hazard for everyone who travels through the intersection.”
Anyone who has information that can help identify sign thieves can contact the Kentucky State Police Mayfield Post at 270-856-3721; their local Sheriff’s Office, or local Crimes Stoppers Line. Any suspicious activity that appears to be someone attempting to steal a sign should be reported.
“Area salvage and scrap metal yards are very unlikely to purchase highway signs for scrap metal, so they are of little value for scrap. However, when you include the time and effort required for installation they can cost taxpayers $200 or more apiece,” Poat added. “We think the public can play a big part in helping us to substantially reduce highway sign theft across the region.”
KYTC District 1 is responsible for 2,850 miles of highway in Kentucky’s 12 westernmost counites.
Photo Caption: A 45 mile-per-hour speed limit sign recently replaced along U.S. 60 in Livingston County disappeared within days. KYTC District 1 officials are asking the public for help in efforts to reduce highway sign theft.