Mason County road signs are disappearing or being vandalized at a costly rate, according to county officials.
The vandalism is not just a hit to the pocket but poses a risk of costing serious property damage or loss of life.
“Emergency personnel responding to fires or medical issues may not find the caller’s location in a timely manner if a road sign is missing or destroyed,” said Mason County Judge-Executive Joe Pfeffer.
Theft and destruction of road signs has been an ongoing problem for the past several years, officials said and there seems to be no rhyme of reason for people wanting to take the signs.
“It’s doesn’t make sense. I think its just something they do for the thrill of it,” Pfeffer added.
The county is in the process of updating its road signs to comply with state mandates. According to Mason County Deputy Judge-Executive Richard Newberry, the older signs were too small in size to meet requirement.
“They were 6-inches wide and 18-inches long. Now the state wants them to measure 8-inches by 24-inches and be made of more reflective material,” said Newberry. He added that newer signs are made of fiberglass and will eventually replace all of the older signs that are made of aluminum.
Mason County has 200 signs in place throughout the county but that isn’t nearly enough. According to Newberry, the county has a need for 200 more signs. Some of those are to replace the ones that are not the correct size and to add signs at locations that aren’t currently marked.
Mason County has a budget of $25,000 for signs this year including road signs and informational signs such as stop signs, high water signs, and low shoulder signs just to name a few according to Pfeffer.
Newberry added that each time a sign is taken or damaged, it costs around $50.
“That includes our cost to make the sign and our workers cost to drive out and to install it back into its place,” he said.
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