STOP It’s not your sign
Theft of road signs is dangerous, costly and illegal
Who is stealing road signs?
Interim County Manager Thomas Sauls asks the public to be on the lookout for missing road signs and to report them to the road department or 911.
Sauls said the county has seen a rash of road sign thefts since the beginning of the year with 20 that have gone missing so far in 2026.
“We ask that people stop stealing the road signs,” he said. “If you see someone vandalizing or taking a sign, please report it to authorities.”
Road Superintendent Bruce Carter reported 105 road signs were stolen during 2025 and 10 have been stolen in month of January of this year.
Carter said the county spends approximately $174 for each sign that is stolen.
The county spent a total of $46,486 on road sign and caution light repairs in 2025 and $5,403 so far this year.
“Approximately half of that amount is due to theft or vandalism,” he said.
The remainder of the expense is used to pay for signs and caution lights that are damaged due to wrecks or farm implement damage.
Sauls points out the theft of road signs is a drain on the county’s treasury. “Keep in mind when signs are stolen the county has to spend more money from our budget to replace them,” he said. Sauls points out missing road signs can endanger lives and property if they are not in place for law enforcement, emergency medical service personnel and first responders to find roads and residences.
“GPS is good, but there are times when it will go down. Road signs are important to make sure emergency crews are in the right place—especially when seconds count,” Sauls said.
Carter points out that stop signs are the ones that are stolen most often.
Sauls also said missing stop signs and lights pose a safety danger to motorists.
“It can lead to accidents if intersections are missing stop signs or lights,” he said.
Carter says the signs are either stolen or shot up with firearms to where they are unreadable.
Caution lights are also a prime target for vandals with more than a dozen damaged during 2025.
“The vandals shoot out the lights and they have to be replaced,” he said. “Keep in mind all of these intersections are near homes and can also be a public safety hazard.”
The theft of road signs can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges based on the value of the signs and the number of incidents.
Under Georgia law, stealing property valued under ($1,500) is generally a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and fines up to ($1,000). Theft of property worth more than ($1,500) can escalate to a felony, with potential prison time of 1-10 years or more.
2025 Sign/Light Loss
• 105 signs stolen
• 12 signs shot with firearms (often near homes)
• 101 signs damaged from wrecks
• 19 signs damaged from farm equipment.
• 14 Caution/Stop lights shot with firearms • 6 Caution/Stop lights damaged from wrecks
• 10 Caution/Stop lights stolen
• 237 signs with post total $41,238.00
• 30 lights $5,248.50 Combined total loss = $46,486.50 January 2026 Sign/Light Loss • 10 signs stolen
• 9 signs damaged in wreck
• 2 signs replaced due to fading
• 6 Caution/Stop lights Stolen
• 3 Caution/Stop lights damaged from wrecks.
• 21 signs $3,654.00
• 10 lights $1,749.50 Combined loss = $5,403.50
Replacement Cost Sign $174 each Light $174.95 each
Source: Pierce County Public Works Department
