[Vision2020] PR - MPD Requests Assistance in Recovering Street Signs

[Stephanie Kalasz]

Sorry this didn't work properly when I tried to forward this from my telephone.
City of Moscow
206 E Third Street
Moscow, ID 83843
Contact: Gary J. Riedner, City Supervisor
p     |   208-883-7006
e     |   griedner at ci.moscow.id.us<mailto:griedner at ci.moscow.id.us>
w    |  www.ci.moscow.id.us<http://www.ci.moscow.id.us>

PRESS RELEASE
Moscow Police Department requests assistance in recovering stolen or missing street signs

July 2, 2012 (Moscow, Idaho) - The City of Moscow has recently experienced an increase in stolen or missing street signs.  During the last twelve months, 109 street signs have been lost, or stolen, with most of those being street name signs.  The upsurge in stolen street signs is not just local, but is a national trend, and the City is asking for your assistance.

This criminal behavior is costly, inconvenient, and dangerous.  The financial cost to the community to replace the stolen signs is almost $13,000.  The removal of street signs may result in loss of life or property if first responders, including, police, fire and ambulance workers are delayed due to missing directional signs when responding to emergencies.  The theft of traffic control signs can result in traffic collisions which can lead to injuries or deaths.

There are several reasons for criminals to target street signs.  One reason is the notoriety of specific signs for decorating walls or for keep-sakes to reminisce time spent in Moscow.  Others include pranks or dares to satisfy assorted motivations.  The most recently identified motive is for thieves to salvage the aluminum for money at metal recyclers or scrap yards.  Local recyclers in the Moscow area do not accept street name signs.

The police department is asking anyone with knowledge of the location of any stolen street signs to call 208-882-COPS (2677) to stop this dangerous and costly trend. If you see someone other than a government employee removing a street sign, dial 911 so the offender can be apprehended.  Anyone caught with a stolen street sign may face up to a $1,000 fine and/or one year in jail if convicted. The Moscow Police Department is committed to curbing these thefts in our community.

Those who currently possess a street sign and want to avoid theft charges are asked to drop the sign off by July 11, 2012 at the front gate of the City of Moscow Streets Shop at 650 North Van Buren or at the Moscow Police Department Station at 118 E 4th Street.  During this brief amnesty period ONLY, no questions will be asked and no theft charges will be pursued.

For more information regarding stolen street signs, please contact Chief of Police David Duke by phone at 208.883.7054 or by email at dduke at ci.moscow.id.us<mailto:dduke at ci.moscow.id.us>.

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Story Contact: David Duke, Chief of Police
Phone: 208.883.7054
Email: dduke at ci.moscow.id.us<mailto:dduke at ci.moscow.id.us>


The City of Moscow delivers quality municipal services while ensuring responsible use of resources.
We anticipate and meet the needs of our diverse population in order to build public trust and enhance a sense of community.




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