Help Me Get Over My Bandit Sign Jitters

[GeoffGreen]

Find out what the downside of bandit signs are BEFORE you put them up.  Some cities out here WILL fine you $200 PER SIGN.  Of course they have your phone number so they know who you are.

Once you know what the downside is - and are prepared for it - it will be easier to put them up.

[fadi]

San Antonio News

Public opposition to bandit signs has grown to an all-new high as volunteers in dozens of San Antonio neighborhoods prepare for national “SICK OF SIGNS” week. San Antonio’s Code Compliance department wants to get the word out that it is not illegal for public members to pull down bandit signs, otherwise known to sign adversaries as “abandoned trash”,“street spam”, and “vertical litter”.

The American Association of Code Enforcement came up with the plan for “National Sick of Signs Week” as a way to focus attention on illegally placed bandit signs. The first official national SOS campaign kicks off May 19th and continues through May 25th. Other US cities have hosted their own local SOS events in past years and Florida recently held a statewide event. Along with dozens of cities across the country, San Antonio’s Code Compliance department is encouraging neighborhood association members to participate in the campaign by tearing down and tracking numbers of bandit signs.

The San Antonio war against bandit signs started in the summer of 2005 when city council passed ordinance #101020 amending Chapter 28 of the city code. The ordinance put teeth into existing rules and declared that “such signs are abandoned trash that may be discarded without notice to their owners.” Additionally, violators (as determined by information on the signs) may be subject to a fine ranging from $100 to $500 per violation!

Recently the city stepped up its efforts to “bust” bandit sign owners in a “Bandit Sign Busters” sweep. City staff removed more than 620 signs and investigators are filing court action against the businesses advertised in the signs. Code Compliance head, Liz Garcia, is a leader in the bandit sign controversy. “We have had tremendous success in attacking the bandit sign problem. Between July 13th, 2006, and mid-April this year, our records show our staff removed 12,447 bandit signs based on complaints from the public. And we don’t know how many more signs were removed by the public during that period.” It is estimated that from April 2005 to March 2006, volunteers at city-sponsored events tore down 9,000 bandit signs. Hundreds more were pulled down by neighborhood volunteers during that time.

Not only does the 2005 ordinance condone the public removal of bandit signs, but the city also offers training to individuals wishing to volunteer with the Bandit Sign Busters Program. Training includes information about sign regulations and how to safely remove signs.

Additionally, there is an organization called “Citizens Against Ugly Street Spam” or “CAUSS” which is comprised of an informal group of citizens from around the country who want to eliminate bandit signs. Through the web site, supporters exchange information and organize sign removal volunteers. This organization boasts that they have active members in virtually every city in the United States.

Defenders of bandit sign use say that big businesses with large advertising budgets destroy small businesses whose owners cannot afford expensive advertising. For real estate investors, bandit signs get the word out to homeowners that there are non-traditional and immediate solutions to their real estate ownership problems. Bandit signs provide basic target marketing resulting in the renovation of problem properties, enhancement of neighborhood property values, and increased property tax revenue.

In spite of real estate investors’ genuine interest in improving neighborhood housing, the oppositional trend is clear. From Code Compliance and private citizens, to homeowners associations and the AAAE and CAUSS, the use of bandit signs is clearly under serious attack.

[Doug Pretorius]

fadiz, does that apply to Realtor's signs too? I'd be happy to clean the neighborhood up of all the realtor yard spam.

[Rich_in_CT]

Maybe if their living depended on those signs they would see them differently.

Is it illegal to rip down political signs?

[Enjoidc]

Maybe if their living depended on those signs they would see them differently.

Is it illegal to rip down political signs?

Is it illegal for one to rip down the illegal signs of those who make the laws.  Is how that should be phrased.

Probably not, but its ironic in mroe than one way.

[Enjoidc]

Maybe if their living depended on those signs they would see them differently.

Heck yes.  I bet if all these whiny websites that promote taking the signs down had to make their money using htese signs they wouldnt have a problem.

And it isnt like they really care about the looks of the signs.  Go on and read one of those forums.  The way they talk really is disturbing, and I am saying that from a neutral standpoint.

One guy told a story about how he followed a pickup putting out signs, and was so enfuriated he called the cops and then parked and watched the guy get ticketed.  He was so happy, he just sat in his truck eating cheetos and was late for night shift work because of it.

I think its more of a "my life sucks, and this is MY town dangit, no sings here!!!"  Not "Those signs are ugly and it makes the neighborhood ugly."

[Rich_in_CT]

Yeah and a 80' McDonalds sign makes the neighborhood sparkle?

[Enjoidc]

Yeah and a 80' McDonalds sign makes the neighborhood sparkle?

But what else is Susie supposed to eat on the way to soccer practice??

[roneill]

In my state we get fined $1000 per sign.  We've paid quite a few of those over the last few years.  In one weekend we put out about 200 signs, and we'll lose between 50-75 every weekend b/w competitors, cities picking them up, homeless people using them for their own...etc.

[Doug Pretorius]

Hmmm, by my calculations that makes bandit signs less cost-effective than direct mail!

[Enjoidc]

Just as a update, I'm up to 25 signs now.

I found out by calling another sign user (pest control)  Turns out when my signs dissapear I can go and pick them up at the highway dept.  They sit them out by the dumpster.

[Rescue That Home]

If you are uncomfortable putting them up yourself, use these guys:

www.thesignbandits.com

Takes all the worry out of it.

[$Cash$]

If you are uncomfortable putting them up yourself, use these guys:

www.thesignbandits.com

Takes all the worry out of it.

What is your point when you say "use these guys" you are these guys.

Domain Name: THESIGNBANDITS.COM
      Created on: 11-Jun-07
      Expires on: 11-Jun-10
      Last Updated on: 19-Mar-08

Administrative Contact:
      Willson, Gregory  greg@rescuethathome.com
      No organization given
      2290 Ocean Shore Blvd
      Ormond Beach, Florida 32176
      United States
      3865593070

Not to brilliant on your part, just another Board Hustler...that doesn't have the money to pay for their own advertising.

John $Cash$ Locke
REI Club Moderator

[kdhastedt]

Like I said about the last one:

"I LOVE it whan they say, "...a company I found on the web" - of course you found it, it's YOURS!.

LOL

Turnip truck, John, turnip truck."

Keith

[F-Props]

I hate 'bandit' signs.  I put a few up once, and my first call came in bright and early the next day...

'Hi, you buy houses?'

'Hi, yes we buy houses, can I help you?'

'Yes, this is the state police. Telephone poles are state property, you need to take your signs down immediately'

oooooouchh ... not cool.

Now I only use them on the stakes in front of properties I have for sale that are on busy roads.  They do well there when I have my for sale sign near by.