| Twelve stop signs were knocked down in two days in the Monett area earlier this week. The recent rash of vandalism didn't cost anyone his or her life, but it will cost money to replace those signs, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Transportation. They reported that the replacement cost could be $2400.
A vandalized sign can cost more than taxpayer money; it could result in serious injury or death. They warn that if anyone is hurt or killed in an accident because of a knocked-over or missing sign, the vandal(s) could be held responsible for the injuries or death. The penalty for damaging signs can be up to $1,000 and from one day in jail to up to a year.
"When a stop sign is down or missing, it's a top priority for us to get that sign back up immediately," said Monett Maintenance Supervisor Ryan West. "We're fortunate no one has been hurt because someone thought it would be fun to knock over some signs."
MoDOT is also advising motorists that if they come upon an intersection in which the traffic lights are out--as was the case recently in McDonald and Newton Counties--that they should treat the intersection as a four-way stop. Go Back | 
