[Chat] Fw: City agencies join community partners to launch assault on illegal signs

[Brad Schlegel]

 Tony White
Communications Director
332 City Hall Baltimore, Maryland  21202
tony.white at baltimorecity.gov
410-396-9520(VM) 410-685-6495(fax)


City agencies join community partners to launch assault on illegal signs
New bill stiffens penalties, 10-day blitz intensifies focus

City agency heads, community associations and civic program representatives
will gather June 7, 2006 to announce a City-wide all-out assault on illegal
signage that is defacing communities around the city. A rally will be held
at 5 p.m. at the intersection of Longwood and North Avenue to draw attention
to the various methods of illegal posting that takes place in practically
every city neighborhood. In particular, unlawful posting of the predatory
"We Buy Houses" signs have blanketed gateway corridors, transforming clean,
trash free avenues into cheap bill boards lanes.

Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke will be on hand to discuss the merits of a new
bill recently passed by City Council and signed by Mayor Martin O'Malley
that stiffens penalties for illegal posting and provides a mechanism for
private enforcement. As sponsor of the bill, Councilwoman Clarke directly
responded to opposition to the illegal signage voiced by her 14th District
constituents.

Examples of illegal posting will be on display at the press event to inform
the public of sign postings that constitute violations, which could result
in a citation and subsequent fine. Following the rally, City workers and
representatives from community associations around the City will work side
by side to remove illegal signage along W. North Ave.

Beginning June 7, the City Department of Transportation will launch a 10-day
blitz during which staff  will closely monitor service request calls
regarding illegal signage, that come through the 311 call center. Those
service calls will then be processed for immediate abatement. Since January,
DOT has removed illegal signs from over 1,600 locations. During Super Spring
Sweep Thing 7, the citywide cleanup held April 22, five City agencies worked
together to collect 1,097 signs.

All accredited members of the media are invited to attend the rally. For
more information contact Tony White at the numbers listed above or Adrianne
Barnes at 410-361-9296.