Relentless Bandit

by

Have you seen those Discount Tree Cutting signs? Those plywood signs that are 4 feet by 4 feet in size posted about 15-20 feet high on utility poles throughout the city? These signs have been diligently removed by citizens but this sign bandit continues to post them throughout the city despite warnings from officials. Many of the signs get put right back up where they were taken down.

It is against the law
to post signs like this.

The signs you see below and those signs you see stuck in the ground on city property and posted on utility poles throughout New Orleans are illegal and unnecessary. There are unused billboards throughout the city that could be used for advertising.

Read more about bandit signs in the link below:
https://fsjna.org/2011/08/city-to-bust-sign-bandits/

UPDATE DECEMBER 3rd

Many thanks to Ann MacDonald and the workers at Parks and Parkways who immediately took action on
some of the signs posted here Nov. 30th.

The complaint went out last Friday and 4 of the signs disappeared right away. There are still several of this sign bandit’s work around (see below) but Parks and Parkways is to be commended for their quick action.

Hopefully, the rest of these large signs will be removed soon!

Citizens have previously removed this sign at the busy intersection of Earhart and Claiborne yet this relentless bandit continues to put them up despite warnings from the city.

Are you tired of this nonsense? Then click on the link below and contact your city councilpeople. This bandit crosses council district lines.
http://nolacitycouncil.com/meet/meet.asp

This sign on Claiborne Avenue at Martin Luther King Blvd. was previously removed by citizens yet it continues to be replaced by this relentless sign bandit.

Are you tired of this nonsense? Then click on the link below and contact your city councilpeople. This bandit crosses council district lines.
http://nolacitycouncil.com/meet/meet.asp

This sign on Earhart at the entrance to the Broad Street overpass has been removed by citizens previously yet the sign is up again. The city has warned this bandit.
What’s it going to take for this to stop?

Are you tired of this nonsense? Then click on the link below and contact your city councilpeople. This bandit crosses council district lines.
http://nolacitycouncil.com/meet/meet.asp

Citizens have removed this sign from this exact same spot previously.
This relentless bandit has put up a new one.

The City of New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways removed this sign.


Citizens previously removed this sign in the middle of St. Bernard Avenue.
As you can see, it is up once again.

The City of New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways removed this sign.


This sign bandit is a creature of habit. Citizens have previously removed this sign from this location. You can see it is up once again right in front of Mossy Motors at 1331 South Broad.

The City of New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways removed this sign.


This sign bandit is a creature of habit. Citizens have previously removed this sign from this location. You can see it is up once again just steps from Liberty’s Kitchen at 422 South Broad.

The City of New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways removed this sign.

Neighbor Makes News

by

Tania Dall / Eyewitness News

NEW ORLEANS – They’re not hard to spot — advertisements sit next to chunks of old torn paper, cluttering utility poles.

"It’s just something that got under my skin and there didn’t seem to be any reason for it, especially in a city like New Orleans, which is so historic and beautiful," Faubourg St. John resident Steve Mardon said.

The Mid-City resident has taken down thousands of signs, in a personal battle to clean up city streets.

"Basically go down to Home Depot, get yourself a PVC pipe and put a screw through it and you can go up and yank them down."

He’s not alone. Councilwoman Stacy Head recently helped revise a city ordinance cracking down on the illegal signs that she says are spiraling out of control.

"The tax services, the free cell phones, the dental work, the tree cutting, the house leveling and raising, we really need to get rid of those," she said. Head said signs also deter potential future commercial development in certain neighborhoods.

The city is now sending a $10 removal invoice to any person or business listed on the illegal sign. If found guilty, additional fines of $25 to $50 could follow.

"The law has been very clear for a long time that these bandit signs that create lots of visual clutter, particularly in neighborhoods that have shown a lot of disinvestment in the past. They detract from the quality of life,” she said.

An epidemic is how Johnnie Young describes the illegal dumping that’s plagued his block and the Lower 9th Ward since Hurricane Katrina.

“Look on that corner. They have tires over there in the big old push, over here they’ve got a pile, over there," Young said. “People are trying to come back. Unfortunately, when they come back and drive by and see this, it’s become an eyesore, and that’s detrimental for the people who want to come back."

No dumping signs haven’t stopped offenders from off-loading their unwanted junk. But the city says it’s cracking down.

Violators caught littering or illegally dumping face fines of $150 to $5,000 per infraction – a promise Young hopes the city will keep.

"I’m like, this I’d rather see and not be satisfied to believe it.”

 

[feedticker num=”10″ feed=”http://business.fsjna.org/rss/” id=”webticker”, direction=”1″, speed=”0.05″, link=”yes” ]

Keep New Orleans Beautiful

by


http://katrinafilm.com/public/wordpress/?p=2397

You may remember on August 25th that Charlie’s Neighborhood
News broke the news that the “Day of Reckoning” for bandit signs
would be here on September 12th. Below is the city’s press
release that came out today…

On September 12th the City of New Orleans will begin aggressively fining those who insist on placing signs on public property. To learn more about bandit signs and how you can help fight blight, please visit the link below:
http://business.fsjna.org/steps-to-stomp-out-blight/

The New Orleans City Council recently passed legislation that prohibits the placement of signs on public streets, sidewalks, and neutral grounds is part of a city-wide effort improve the quality of life in the New Orleans for locals and visitors alike.

In an effort to allow businesses and individuals time to remove any signs already on public property before incurring fines and penalties, we strongly encourage the removal of any signs erected or posted or those which list your band or business name/venue, phone numbers or addresses. This amnesty program runs between Monday, August 29th and Friday, September 9, 2011.

Starting on Monday, September 12th, the City will use its resources to enforce the existing City Code (Section 134) which prohibits the placement of signs, placards, posters or other advertisement on public right-of-way such as on neutral grounds, parks, playgrounds or the area between the sidewalk and the curb unless written consent is granted by the City. This includes a prohibition of such items on utility poles, light standards, street signs, parking meters and trees. Any unlawful posting will be removed and disposed. According to this law, it is also unlawful to distribute or cause to be distributed, any commercial product samples, commercial advertising brochures, leaflets, pamphlets or commercial literature of any kind on the streets and sidewalks of the City.

We are mindful that cultural businesses may host musical groups, have gallery openings or other such events that require advertising. However, the law requires that you keep signs off of public property and do not distribute fliers on public streets and sidewalks. Alternative forms of free or low-cost advertising such as social media, local resources such radio stations, publications, on-line listings, phone applications, etc. are also encouraged.

Section 134 of the City Code also provides for penalties associated with violations, “the existence of any illegal sign on the public right-of-way constitutes prima face evidence that any individual or entity depicted or advertised on an illegal sign caused, authorized, allowed, or is allowing the placement or posting of the signs on public property and is in violation of this section.” Violation of this section is punishable by a fine of not more than $25.00 per sign, per violation and/or community service. If the violation involves the posting of signs on trees, the fine is $50.00 per sign and/or community service. The Code also authorizes the Department of Sanitation or Parks and Parkways “to invoice any individual or entity depicted or advertised on the illegal sign for the cost of removal of the sign”.

CITY TO LAUNCH BEAUTIFICATION CAMPAIGN

Focus on Removing Litter and Bandit Signs to Begin September 12th

NEW ORLEANS, LA-Today, the City announced that on Monday, September 12, 2011, the Department of Sanitation will begin stronger enforcement of
City quality-of-life laws regarding littering, illegal dumping, and
signs or posters posted unlawfully on public rights of way, commonly
referred to as “bandit signs.” The City Code has been amended in regard
to some of these provisions as recently as June 2011.

City law specifically prohibits the placement of any sign, placard,
poster or other advertisement on public rights-of-way including on
neutral grounds, parks, playgrounds, trees, utility poles, light
fixtures, street signs, and parking meters. It also provides guidelines
related to the collection and disposal of solid waste and specifies
penalties and fines for littering and illegal dumping.

“Removing litter and bandit signs across the City is a beautification
effort that will improve our quality of life,” said Mayor Mitch
Landrieu. “Over the next 18 months, we have an unprecedented series of
national and international events that will showcase New Orleans, so it
is critical that we put our best foot forward as our City takes center
stage.”

The City will institute an amnesty period from Monday, August 29th
through Friday, September 9th. Individuals and businesses who have
dumped trash illegally, littered, or posted bandit signs should utilize
this time period to remove them. During the amnesty period the City will
not issue fines.

At the conclusion of the amnesty period, teams of City employees will be
dispatched throughout the City to photograph, count, log, remove and
dispose of bandit signs and litter. Any bandit sign will be removed,
disposed of, and the owner will receive a fine of $25 per sign, or $50
per sign if attached to a tree. Community service is possible for repeat
offenders. Fines for littering and illegal dumping range from $150 to
$5,000, with the possibility of community service and jail time for
repeat offenders. These penalties are determined by the City’s Municipal
Court.

City Council President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson said, “We are all
very excited and proud to show our City in its best light. In order to
make the next 18 months and beyond as spectacular as possible, we will
all have to commit to strong enforcement – from top to bottom.”

“I look forward to this aggressive enforcement of nuisance laws,” said
District B Councilmember Stacy Head. “Eradication of these signs will
reduce litter and visual clutter and improve livability in all
neighborhoods, particularly in areas like Central City that has been
plagued with these signs.”

“This increased effort to enforce these quality of life issues will be
beneficial not only to our visitors, but to our residents who live and
work in our communities on a daily basis,” said District C Councilmember
Kristin Gisleson Palmer. “The French Quarter, Marigny and other historic
areas, are especially impacted. With greater enforcement, we will
uphold the beauty and unique nature of these important neighborhoods.”

District D Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell said, “Keeping our
neighborhoods neat and clean is important to our quality of life. The
residents of District D look forward to the results of this push by the
administration to fight litter, illegal dumping, and nuisance signs.”

Political and campaign signs may be posted 48 hours prior to an election
and remain for 48 hours after the closing of the polls for the election.
Realtors may post signs 24 hours before and after an open house takes
place.

For more information or questions about bandit signs or littering and
dumping fines, please contact the Department of Sanitation at
sanitation@nola.gov or call (504) 658-3800.

ANYONE Can Remove Bandit Signs

by


Get Microsoft Silverlight

In the video above Councilmember Stacy Head revisits the law against bandit signs making it clearer but also giving larger leeway to realtors and politicians letting politicians have signs up 48 hours before and 48 hours after the election.

below from Marty Stephens:
In New Orleans, City Cracking Down on Bandit Signs
Hallelujah! The City of New Orleans is now taking an active role in removing bandit signs and fining violators.

At a City Council meeting June 2, Mike Sherman, Mayor Landrieu’s director of intergovernmental affairs, listed several new developments:
•The Department of Parks & Parkways has removed 9,500 signs since January.
•Two frequent violators were prosecuted in Municipal Court.
•An employee from the Department of Sanitation is now dedicated to sign removal.
•Citizens can call (504) 658-4015 to report bandit signs.
•Violators now receive a phone call and letter advising them to remove their signs, after which they risk fines.

You can watch Sherman’s presentation here, around the 16-minute mark.

At the same meeting, Councilmember Stacy Head introduced an amendment to the City Code simplifying and clarifying the law on bandit signs. The Departments of Sanitation and Parks and Parkways are now authorized to invoice individuals and entities responsible for bandit signs $10 per sign. The revised ordinance also provides for an administrative appeal process. If an administrative appeal is denied, additional fines and community service may also apply.

Here’s a story on the amendment from WGNO, which includes the updated version of the bandit sign law:
New Orleans Councilwoman Cracks Down on Illegal Signs
http://www.abc26.com/news/local/wgno-bandit-signs-and-blight-new-orleans-councilwoman-cracks-down-on-illegal-signs-20110607,0,2572233.story

And here’s the Times Picayune’s version:
New Orleans City Council passes ordinance to crack down on ‘bandit signs’ in neutral grounds
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/06/new_orleans_city_council_passe_1.html

I’m heartened by these developments and hope the city continues with these initiatives. Although there are still plenty of signs out there, the roads are definitely looking better these days.

from Marty Stephens
Click HERE to see his original article.

ORDINANCE

CITY OF NEW ORLEANS

CITY HALL: May 19, 2011

CALENDER NO. 28,479

NO. ____________ MAYOR COUNCIL SERIES

BY: COUNCILMEMBER HEAD

AN ORDINANCE to amend and reordain Article III of Chapter 134 of the Code of the City of New Orleans, relative to unauthorized signage placed on the public right-of-way, the administration thereof, and penalties therefor; and to provide otherwise with respect thereto.

SECTION 1. THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS HEREBY ORDAINS, that Article III of Chapter 134 of the Code of the City of New Orleans

be and the same is hereby amended and reordained to read as follows:

“Article III. Regulations:

Sec. 134-121. Signs on Public Right-of-Ways.

It shall be unlawful to place a sign, placard, poster, or other advertisement (hereafter referred to as “sign”), upon a public street, public sidewalk, public alley, public right-of-way, public curb or other public improvement in any public street or grounds, on any public bridge or part of same, or on any public building or structure of any kind belonging to the City, or in any public place or on any public improvement (hereinafter, collectively “public right-of-way”), unless express

(a) written consent is granted by the City. This subsection does not apply to public property leased for private business purposes, or to coin-operated devices used to display newspapers, so long as they do not impede vehicular or pedestrian traffic or damage public property.

(b) Any unlawful sign found within a public right-of-way shall be immediately seized and removal thereof by anyone is hereby authorized. It shall be the responsibility of the Department of Sanitation or the Department of Parks and Parkways to devise a system of removal for such signs.

Sec. 134-122. Temporary Political Displays.

Temporary political signs when not prohibited by any other provision of law may be placed on the public right-of-way for 48 hours prior to an election and remain for 48 hours after the closing of the polls for an election.

Sec. 134-123. Signs Resembling Official Signs.

No sign shall be constructed which resembles any official marker erected by the City, state or any governmental agency or which by reason of position, shape or color would conflict with the proper functioning of any traffic sign, signal, or switch, or which, by its shape or color would conflict with or be confused with emergency vehicle lights, especially blinking lights. Use of words such as “stop,” “look,”
“danger,” or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic is prohibited.

Sec. 134-124. Sign not to Create Easements.

No permit for a sign extending beyond private property onto a public street, public sidewalk, or public alley shall constitute a permanent servitude or easement, and every such permit shall be revocable at any time by action of the City, and the City shall not be liable for any damages to the owner by reason of such revocation. Every permit shall so state expressly on its face; and the applicant for any permit shall so expressly agree in writing.

Section 134-125. Signs Obscuring or Interfering with View.

Signs may not be located or illuminated in such a manner as to obscure or otherwise interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, signal, or device, or so as to obstruct or interfere with the view of a driver of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic, or so as to prevent any traveler on any street from obtaining a clear view of approaching vehicles for a distance of 250 feet along the street.

Section 134-126. Shielding of Lighted Signs, Interference with Drivers of Motor Vehicles.

Signs containing lights which are not effectively shielded as to prevent beams or rays of light from
being directed at any portion of the traveled roadways from which the sign is primarily viewed and which are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or to impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle, or which otherwise interfere with any driver’s operation of a motion vehicle are prohibited.

Section 134-127. Removal of Signs or Awnings Obstructing View.

The Director of the Department of Public Works shall, whenever any sign or awning in his/her opinion obstructs the view of any street, in any manner, shall give not more than five days notice to its proprietor for removal, or for the reduction of the size of the sign or awning. If the proprietor fails to comply with
the provisions of this section during said notice period, the owner shall be liable to a fine of not less than $10.00 per day for contravention of this section, recoverable for the use of the City.

Section 134-128. Advertisements on Streets, Telegraph Poles, etc., Prohibited.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to post or paint advertisements of any kind on any street, sidewalk, public buildings, utility poles, light standards, street signs, parking meters, trees located in public right-of-way or traffic signal standards.

Any unlawful posted or painted advertisement on any street, sidewalk, public buildings, utility poles, light standards, street signs, parking meters, trees located

(a) public rights-of-way or traffic signal standard shall be seized and removed.

(b) It shall be the responsibility of the Department of Sanitation or the Department of Parks and Parkways to devise a system of removal for such signs.

(c) It shall be unlawful to distribute or cause to be distributed any commercial product samples, commercial advertising brochures, leaflets pamphlets or commercial literature of any time on the streets and sidewalks of the City, except as otherwise provided in this Code.

Section 134-129. Recycling of Signage.

Any signage seized by the City under this chapter that may be recyclable, shall be provided to the City
sanctioned recycling program. If the signage is unrecyclable, or deemed to be unrecyclable by the City sanctioned recycling program, conventional disposal is permitted.

Section 134-130. Penalties.

(a) The City attorney is authorized to seek an injunction to prevent additional violations of the provisions of this section.

(b) The existence of any illegal sign on the public right-of-way constitutes prima facie evidence that any individual or entity depicted or advertised on an illegal sign caused, authorized, allowed, or is allowing the placement or posting of the sign on public property and is in violation of this section.

(a) The director of the Department of Sanitation or the Department of Parks and Parkways, or their designees, are authorized to invoice any individual or entity depicted or advertised on the illegal sign for the cost of removal of the sign. This cost may be established through in-house accounting or through applicable payments to third party vendors for removal. In addition to assessment for cost of removal, any individual or entity depicted or advertised on the illegal sign shall also be assessed a penalty of $10.00 per sign, per violation, recoverable for the use of the City.

Any individual or entity depicted or advertised on an illegal sign that receives an invoice from the
(a) Department of Sanitation or the Department of Parks and Parkways may provide written correspondence to the department from which an invoice was received within ten (10) days of receipt, and request an administrative appeal of said assessment. If guilt is determined at said appeal, the following additional administrative costs and penalties may apply:

a. Except in the case of a violation involving the illegal posting of signs on trees, a person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $25.00 per sign, per violation and/or community service of not less than five (5) hours per sign, per violation.

a. If the violation involves the illegal posing of signs on trees, a person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $50.00 per sign, per violation and/or community service of not less than five (5) hours,
per sign, per violation.

b. The total monetary fines imposed per case shall not exceed $500.00