Increase in sign theft seen in southeast Wyoming

CHEYENNE (WNE) — The Wyoming Department of Transportation has noticed an increase in sign theft over the last few months.

More signs have been reported stolen each year, with common targets including the “Welcome to Wyoming” or “Entering Wyoming” signs. Other signs such as stop signs, traffic signs and road signs have continued to be stolen, as well. Stolen signs can lead to crashes and can pose dangerous conditions to travelers.

“Stolen stop signs cause a great risk to the traveling public. Travelers unfamiliar with an area can blow through an intersection and involve themselves and others in a crash they normally would have stopped or yielded to,” said Mike Ginther, District 1 traffic supervisor, in a news release.

The large “Welcome to Wyoming” signs cost upwards of $2,000-$3,000 to manufacture and replace, while the smaller “Welcome to Wyoming” signs range from $1,500-$2,000.

Theft in the state of Wyoming, including sign theft, is broken into two theft levels — felony and misdemeanor.

If the value of the stolen property or services is $1,000 or more, the person commits a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Persons commit misdemeanor theft by stealing property or services valued at less than $1,000. The maximum penalty for misdemeanor theft is six months’ imprisonment and a $750 fine.

Defacing signs with stickers or markings also carries a fine if caught.

The cost to replace signs and posts, as well as clean defaced and damaged signs, comes out of the state highway maintenance budget, which is also used to clear snow, repair potholes and maintain the highways.

This story was published on December 18, 2024.