Maybe it's the heat, or maybe there's something in the water — whatever it is, something is causing a recent spike in illegal activities on Wawarsing's roads, particularly a massive uptick in road-sign theft and illegal garbage dumping on the town's streets.

On Friday, Wawarsing Highway Superintendant Gil Davis sent out a fax reporting that the Wawarsing Highway Department "is experiencing a rash of road sign theft. Although this is a year round problem, it has dramatically increased in volume this summer."

The release continues, asking town residents to stay alert, and if a theft or act of vandalism in progress is witnessed, to write down the license plate number or any other identifying information of the perpetrators. The release asks that the information be given to the Highway Department, which can be reached at 647-6890.

"This is your tax money being stolen," concludes the release.

Gil Davis spoke in an interview on Tuesday about the different situations the highway department is currently facing.

"Every night there's been a new sign stolen," he elaborated. "It's bad this year."

Davis reported that street signs, such as those for Spookhole Road, High Street, and Mill Street, have gone missing as of late. Furthermore, road signs, such as Stop and Yield signs, have been going missing all over town as well.

Davis said that if people really want the signs that badly, they can purchase them for between $12 and $15, as they're made over at Eastern Correctional Facility. Davis also reported that, so far, the total amount of money spent this year so far to replace the stolen signs is $1,040, which is nearly the amount spent for the entire year of 2007. At $15 a sign, at least 69 signs have been stolen so far this year, though Davis did not provide a concrete number.

Davis also spoke briefly about recent problems regarding illegal dumping on the town's roads. Last week, the Journal received reports of an illegal dumpsite on Foordmore Road. When asked on Tuesday, Davis said that he and his crew had cleaned up the site, and that illegal dumping is a constant problem throughout the township.

Davis said that he would approach the town council at this Thursday's board meeting to get approval for possible solutions and deterrents he has thought of to try and remedy both of these problems.

COMMENTS about this article (32)