Number of stolen stop signs increases in Rock County
JANESVILLE Along the rural roads of Rock County, a crime trend is on the rise: stop sign thefts.
“It’s a recipe for disaster,” Capt. Gary Groelle said. “It can be horrific.”
Five stop signs have been stolen through July 2009, compared to two all of last year, he said.
No wrecks have resulted in the thefts, but the trend could lead to tragedy if two cars collided in an intersection traveling 55 mph, Groelle said.
Sign theft is not a new crime, but stealing stop signs is more alarming than stealing signs that mark the speed limit or curves in the road, he said.
More stop sign thefts have been reported in recent months, possibly because it’s summertime, Groelle said.
The signs have been stolen in different parts of rural Rock County, and the perpetrators are likely kids stealing signs for a souvenir or thrill, he said.
“I think it’s individuals not realizing fully the damage that can be done,” Groelle said. “I think it may be the thrill.”
Anyone caught stealing stop signs could be charged with theft, criminal damage to property or felony recklessly endangering safety, he said. It depends on the nature of the crime.
For the full story, read Thursday’s Janesville Gazette, read online in the Gazette’s E-Edition or check back at GazetteXtra.com.
Aug 7, 2009 at 3:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
When parents see one of these signs in their kid's room, they need to call the police.
Aug 6, 2009 at 5:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
Quote "They could also *rivet* them on..Yes, its extra "work" and extra tools, but how much "work" does it take to be equal to someone's death??????????"
.
I dont know of any rivets that will go through a 4 x 4 wood post but hey....maybe
Aug 6, 2009 at 4:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
The bad part is that if someone really wants a stop sign in thier house (or wherever), they could buy one for about $25.
And it costs more than that for the government to reinstall a missing sign.
Aug 6, 2009 at 3:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
good point zippy. i hear there is pretty hot black market for those stop signs. gang bangers are stealin em left an right cuz they are soooo wanted in the hood. and with the heroin problem in this county...duh what junkie isnt gonna steal em an trade em to the dealer, who of course knows the street value of those stop signs. we should make drugs illegal...and i promise the stop sign stealing would cease.
this happened in florida a few years ago, and im not aware of the final results but i do remember them charging the sign thief w manslaughter or something when someone rolled into an intersection and died.
Aug 6, 2009 at 3:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
it's probably governor Doyle's fault, right?
Aug 6, 2009 at 3:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
Changing the hardware will not deter thefts. If someone wants the sign, they can rip those wood posts right out of the ground.
Aug 6, 2009 at 2:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
This MUST be the work of some crazed hip-hopper. Probably selling them for DRUGS.
Aug 6, 2009 at 2:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
How much death is risked needlessly because something is deemed "tooooo haaaaard".
Aug 6, 2009 at 2:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
cardtrader-Yes, anything "can" be done, but the thing is to make it difficult enough to make a deterrent..Also there is more chance getting caught while doing all that stuff...Use half-inch rivets with one-inch countersunk heads.
Aug 6, 2009 at 1:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
Since the invention of rechargeable hand tools if the thief wants them they will get them with or without rivets or security nuts. They have power chizels and sawsall will make easy work of it.
Aug 6, 2009 at 1:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
What beeferer & truth1 said. After having this happen for years and years and still no security measures.... one has to wonder who we are dealing with....
Aug 6, 2009 at 11:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
They could also *rivet* them on..Yes, its extra "work" and extra tools, but how much "work" does it take to be equal to someone's death??????????
Aug 6, 2009 at 9:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
cardtrader - you have to catch them first....
Aug 6, 2009 at 8:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
I think a year in jail for anyone caught tampering with highway signs might stop such a crime, and if said crime leads to death then charge them as if they where party to vehicular manslaughter. Make laws so tough on stupid acts that they will think twice about doing them.
Aug 6, 2009 at 8:09 a.m.
Suggest removal
Maybe we can get a "stop cop" grant from the government to reduce this crime....
Aug 6, 2009 at 7:15 a.m.
Suggest removal
Why can't they steal speed limit signs?? I would personally SUPPORT that (at least i would have an excuse for the police).
But seriously - the stop sign thefts need to stop.
Aug 6, 2009 at 7:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
It doesn't take a genius to figure out an easy fix for this problem. http://www.tufnutworks.com/category.aspx...
Aug 6, 2009 at 6:08 a.m.
Suggest removal
They need to put a stop to the stop sign thiefs!
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.