Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Thu May 05, 2011, 11:35 PM EDT
— OAKLAND — Garrett County spends up to $5,000 annually making and replacing road signs, not counting the costs for labor and travel to replace signs that are stolen or damaged.
“Ever since I’ve been here for the past three years, there are work orders for stolen signs,” said Jay Moyer, general superintendent of the Garrett County Roads Department. Some signs are inadvertently damaged, such as by accidents or snowplows, but about half of the signs replaced annually by the county are for signs that have been removed by thieves.
Signs for a range of purposes are placed at certain sections of county roads and at designated intersections for traffic and pedestrian safety.
“This has become a safety issue. Taking these signs is going to end up costing someone their life,” said Moyer concerning endangerment posed for motorists and pedestrians with the sudden absence of legal roads signage.
Officials have also heard reports that signs are stolen to turn in to metal salvage operations or to use as a “slide plate” for four-wheelers.
Whatever the reason for the thefts, Garrett County officials want to bring thefts to a halt, and they are seeking the pubic’s assistance to do just that.
“The illegal removal of these signs by anyone who disagrees with the assigned speed limit, traffic yield warning, or other determination could very well be the foundation for a serious accident and injury to what could be a number of persons,” said County Administrator Monty Pagenhardt.
Anyone who is found to be stealing county-owned signage will be charged and prosecuted. The violators could be charged with misdemeanor theft which, upon conviction, carries a jail term of up to 18 months and/or a fine of up to $500.
“Anyone who wishes to report any suspicious activity related to this matter should contact the sheriff’s office at 301-334-1911 or go to www.garrettcountycrimesolvers.org. Reports that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a monetary reward,” said Pagenhardt.
Garrett County is also dealing with the continual problem of trash, rubbish and tires being thrown into wooded areas off highways. Anyone observing such activity is asked to contact their nearest police agency and provide suspect and vehicle information that could lead to the perpetrators and charges of illegal dumping.
Under Maryland law, anyone dumping litter weighing less than 100 pounds and of volume less than 27 cubic feet may be charged with dumping litter. Upon conviction, the offense carries a 30-day jail sentence. Violations of items weighing more than 100 pounds and of volume greater than 27 cubic feet carries a penalty of one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $12,500.
In addition, under Maryland law, anyone discharging litter on a public highway, bridge or waterway may be issued a littering citation that carries a fine of $140.
According to the Maryland State Highway Adminstration, approximately 275 to 300 signs in Allegany County are replaced annually and an estimated 125 to 150 each year in Garrett County. Most of the replacements are due to thefts or damages by paintball and bullets, according to an agency spokesman.
Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com
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