DILLON, SC (WBTW) – Dillon County is dealing with a problem that costs taxpayers thousands of dollars and may put people in danger.
Regardless of the time of day, if a stop sign goes missing, someone has to go replace it and that not only cost money but could cost time in the event of an emergency.
Sonny McRae has been Dillon County’s E-911 Director for the past eight years, and in the last three years, he has received frequent calls about missing road signs.
“I don’t know if the economy don’t have jobs, or people use them for income or just because the name may be their last name,” mentioned McRae.
It costs Dillon County $100 or more with labor to replace a single road sign.
“We spend probably anywhere from eight to nine thousand dollars just in replacing signs,” said McRae.
While some people may think stealing road signs is funny, it is anything but to McRae because the problem could create issues for first responders.
“If it’s a fire, you know, it’s not very hard to find but especially when someone is sick and needs to go to the hospital or wherever they may go, that can be leading to life or death,” McRae said.
McRae says the county is getting serious about trying to catch the culprits. He says residents and sheriff’s deputies are quick to call if they notice a sign is not where it is supposed to be.
“Actually, they know more about it and they know the impact on it as far as emergency organizations coming to their aid and how important it is,” explained McRae.
Captain Cliff Arnette with the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office says cases like this are rare because it’s difficult to catch people in the act, but if they are caught, it often results in jail time.
