East Texas

By MALENA OGLES
Staff Writer

CANTON — It’s not a prank or a joke. It’s dangerous, and against the law — and a Van Zandt County Constable wants citizens to know that road sign theft will not be tolerated.

In recent weeks, the county has faced a rash of stolen road sign and barricade thefts.

Sunday morning, Van Zandt County Precinct 2 Constable C.B. Wiley was on patrol when encountered four “warning” barricades blocking the roadway, but there was no construction, road problems or emergency workers in the area.

“There was nothing that would require the barricades to be up,” Wiley said.

Several phone calls later, Wiley discovered that the barricades possibly belonged in a construction area near Highway 17 where several had gone missing. He also discovered that more than a dozen road signs, including stop signs, were stolen from the Elm Grove Community.

“Somewhere there is a dangerous construction site without warning barricades in place, and is an accident waiting to happen,” Wiley said. “These road signs are needed to direct emergency ambulances and police to your home when you have an emergency.”

According the constable’s office, theft of road signs and barricades cost the taxpayers thousands of dollars a year in replacements.

Wiley said in addition to the replacement costs, the thefts could result in injury or death if an ambulance driver or police officer is unable to find a scene because of a removed road sign.

“Finding the correct road by these signs could mean a matter of life or death, and if something were to happen, we could probably file on them for homicide if they contributed to an accident that resulted in death,” he said.

While Wiley said that the culprits are mostly likely juveniles, they will still be punished if caught including fines or community service.

“But as soon as they reach 17 I can light it to them, and I will put them in jail and have their car towed,” he said.

Wiley is asking Van Zandt County residents to be watchful of what is happening in their neighborhoods and if a citizens sees something suspicious to contact police.

“If you see cars parking at night messing with the signs all you need to do is get a license plate,” he said.

Persons arrested in connection with the road sign thefts could face charges of criminal mischief or theft of road signs.

For every count of criminal mischief the suspect faces fines up to $500 if convicted.

“We’re fair to these kids. A community raises these kids not just the parents, but I don’t want someone to get hurt over a prank,” he said.