SALUDA COUNTY, S.C. — Missing road signs continue to be a growing problem in Saluda County, and frustrated residents are speaking out about how this act costs everyone.
Clarence Springs, who has lived in Saluda County for over 10 years, says he lives on a private road. He said one of the signs near his house that reads "Hook Line Lane" has been stolen over 50 times.
“They have been stealing this sign for three years or more, and sometimes we have to pay, and sometimes, if we fuss about it, we don’t have to pay," he said. "Maybe other people will speak for their road and their signs, but as a taxpayer, I am tired, and it’s not fair for us.”
At one point, Springs said he took matters into his own hands and installed surveillance cameras in the trees to catch the people stealing. He said kids in the community are to blame and even spoke to Saluda Police about the incident.
"Saluda County also put up cameras; they put up cameras that was low and very visible and stopped for a little while," he said. "Soon as they took the cameras out, they started stealing again, and that week, they took the sign, like, three times in a row.”
News19 contacted county officials for answers, including Saluda County Roads and Bridges Superintendent Andrew Coleman. He said behavior like this is unacceptable.
"When a county street name sign is reported stolen or missing, we place it on our list of signs that need to be fabricated," he said. "The Roads and Bridges Department does not have an employee dedicated to street name sign fabrication and maintenance."
He said the disappearance of road signs is a growing problem for Saluda County.
"Last year, we replaced approximately 400 street name signs with an estimated cost of $16,000 of taxpayer dollars," Coleman said. "When a road sign is missing, it costs everyone in the county."
Springs says the consequences for missing or stealing signs need to be stricter.
“If we really needed help up here and the street sign wasn’t there then they would be circling around the block trying to find us or find the disabled people that is living up there, and I don’t think that’s fair," Springs added.
Sheriff Josh Price also made a statement about the ongoing issue.
"For some people, the act of stealing road signs might appear to be a harmless prank, but it can have a broader, dangerous impact," he said. "This includes safety risks and will lead to criminal charges. Let me make it clear that this behavior should be avoided and will not be tolerated. Road signs play a critical role in protecting lives."
"I would ask that parents explain the implications of these actions to their children and for all of us to think about the dangers and risks of stealing road signs."
