BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — As deputies in Pointe Coupee Parish reported seeing an increase in missing street signs, they want to remind the public that it is a crime to do so.

According to Louisiana law, no one shall remove any official sign or signal of the Department of Transportation, or possess such sign without the intention of returning the sign or signal to its original location.

Why do people steal street signs?

Some may see stealing a street sign as a harmless prank or a way to decorate a house, but it is considered a serious crime that endangers others.

Street signs are an important piece to a safe and efficient transportation system.

According to a report from an officer with the College Station Police, street signs are intended to protect public safety by regulating, guiding, and warning motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Absent signs can create dangerous traffic situations, as well as delay first responders from answering critical calls.

Consequences of stealing street signs

In Louisiana, violators may be fined between $100 and $500 and/or imprisoned for up to 30 days.

According to a blog post from Express Legal Funding, stealing a street sign could have serious consequences, including the act being charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. In most cases, the theft is a misdemeanor, but on rare occasions, more expensive street signs can be considered a felony.

If the theft of a road sign exceeds the state's grand larceny total, which ranges between $1,000 and $1,500, it would be deemed a felony, or if the missing sign can cause significant public safety risks or injuries, it is considered a felony.

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