Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Proposal increases fines for illegal signs


From the Queens Chronicle:

Councilmen Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) and Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) rallied public support on Tuesday afternoon for proposed legislation that would triple fines for advertisements illegally pasted on public property.

“Our neighborhoods are flooded with these signs,” Bellerose Hillside Civic Association President Jerry Wind said, while standing in Jackson Heights next to bags filled with advertisements collected from Queens streets. Dromm’s office plans to shred fliers at a shredding event on Saturday.

Laws prohibit the placement of signs on public property such as lampposts, trees, bus shelters and street lights, but nevertheless, businesses still do it. If caught, the advertisers are faced with a $75 fine, which could be increased to $225 per advertisement, if Weprin’s proposed amendment is approved.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

The people posting "We buy houses" will be left alone, the citizens posting "missing dog" will get saddled with tickets.

Unknown said...

$75 is a joke. Until the fine is larger than legitimate advertising the practice won't stop. I do think legitimate advertising is too expensive for most small businesses but illegal ads are not the answer.

Anonymous said...

What about the "kick me" sign on your behind?

Anonymous said...

Make the fines for the illegal "We buy houses" type signs astronomical - say $2,500/sign.

The language could stipulate that the fine varies depending on what the sign is made of and how it is mounted.

Corrugated plastic sign mounted with plastic strap(s): $2,500
Corrugated plastic sign mounted with staple(s): $2,500
Corrugated plastic sign mounted with nail(s): $2,500
Corrugated plastic sign mounted with tar or other loose adhesive: $2,500
Corrugated plastic sign mounted with tape: $2,500

Paper or cardboard sign mounted with plastic strap(s): $2,500
Paper or cardboard sign mounted with staple(s): $2,500
Paper or cardboard sign mounted with nail(s): $2,500
Paper or cardboard sign mounted with tar or other loose adhesive: $2,500

Paper or cardboard sign mounted with tape: $25

This last one ensures that these signs don't last and it gives a break to the people who post missing dog or yard sale signs (usually mounted only with tape). I think these folks deserve a pass because they have ties to the community and are not trying to scam people in need of quick cash.

This is in sharp contrast to the highly organized bands of criminals who post the We buy houses-type signs - enterprises that are, at best, shady. (and in case you're wondering, none of these signs are for legitimate charities).

Get tough and make it a moneymaker for the City to enforce this and these trashy ugly plastic signs will disappear once and for all.

Anonymous said...

isay lose the corrugated and make it any plastic sign.also have lminated signs illegal too. anything that doesnt fall apart in the rain should be fined heavily