NA Confidential has nothing "against" Netpointe ("we buy houses" is another matter entirely), but simply stated, spam is spam, and it's disappointing that a local business that undoubtedly devotes so much of its work time fighting against one variety of spam chooses to contribute to the litter problem by printing dozens of another and littering the city with them.
We'll forward this posting to the folks at Netpointe, and let you know when they respond.
If you're just tuning in, you may be asking: What is street spam?
It is the term for illegal signs along roadways, at intersections, on traffic signs or utility poles, and even on private property. Illegal street signs are also called vertical litter, bandit signs, snipe signs, utility pole advertising and stuff on a stick (SOS). The signs may advertise local businesses, multilevel marketing schemes selling weight loss products, health insurance, sample sales, landscaping services and even pet waste removal services.
The preceding definition comes from the FAQ section of the Citizens Against Ugly Street Spam web site.
See also Street spam, sign sharks and the sheer joy of litter removal, a recent article in NA Confidential.
9 comments:
Roger, thanks for the information you gave me a few days ago about changes in our local papers. My most recent column was published today (Tuesday) and it's on my blog.
I've also been asked if I'm interested in increasing the frequency of my columns. We'll see how those negotiations go.
Is there a way that citizens can take pictures and report these to someone in particular for the fines to be imposed.
The parking meter employees seem to be able to leave tickets. Why can't someone come up with a simple way to mail a ticket with the supporting date, time and photo taken of the offense and send it to the company.
One or two tickets and I'm sure things would improve.
I agree, Greg, about the money. It's odd how a town that's always completely broke seems to have no interest in changing that situation when the opportunity presents itself.
Isn't it strange that the fine for street spam is higher than for parking violations. But it seems there is no way to really enforce either!
One more thought. Have you noticed the signs on the ramps at the interstate advertising some furniture store going out of business, last 8 days!
Been last 8 days for several weeks now!
What would be the legal liability if one was to remove these signs?
I know most of them are on public property, but do the sign owners have any specific rights about there property being destroyed or defaced?
Would hate to think we were doing a good deed, then turn around and get punished by it!
Rick, it's litter. Obviously, neither the city nor businesses like Cinergy have the time it would take to do this right -- at least not now, so it's up to us to be grassroots about it.
Until we're notified differently, it seems safe to assume that such a sigh posted on property that isn't someone's yard is litter, and should be removed by civic-minded citizens.
Furthermore, it follows that a civic-minded business wouldn't post street spam to begin with.
I concede that there is a body of thought that holds the city responsible for all such endeavors, but I tend to believe that neighborhoods must in some small way police themselves.
As soon as it warms up, I propose we organize a Sunday afternoon clean-up of major intersections.
April???????????
Maybe a global, city-wide Shark Sunday then, but in the meantime, surely it doesn't have to be 70 degrees to do this on a smaller scale?
I may be from the South (which, by the way, is usually about as cold as NA), but I don't think we need to wait until April.
Agreed, Brandon. When (not if) the cops are called, I'd want them to be fully aware of what's going on. Perhaps over time the culture of the city will change such that no one would dare dump this litter on the right-of-ways.
As for private property, I think you need complete city sanction, if not deputization as a volunteer, to police these.
A great place to test commercial free speech, which your friend healthblogger likely supports, as would your new pals Debbie and Kirk.
I am all for this endeavor. I do support free speach, and hate litter believing we should leave things better than we found them.
I was, of course, part of that radical group growing up known as the "Boy Scouts"!
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