Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and Roads Department Address Recent Increase in Road Sign Vandalism

The Talbot County Roads Superintendent and the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office have noted an alarming increase in damage to county road signs over the last year, with the majority of damage occurring in the Cordova area.
Over the past year, 64 incidents of vandalism have been reported, costing Talbot County taxpayers nearly $18,000 in repairs and replacements.
According to Talbot County Roads, the reported incidents were caused by vandalism. Not only do the damages cost taxpayers money, but they also divert the efforts of county road workers away from other projects.
Mike Potter, Sign Technician for the Roads Department, gets the call when a sign needs to be replaced. Whether it’s on the weekend or after hours, Mike can be found around the County doing emergency replacements. His commitment to ensures that damaged or missing signs are swiftly addressed, preventing potential accidents and disruptions on County roads.
“We rely on these road signs to guide traffic, ensuring the safety of all motorists and pedestrians,” said Brian LeCates, Director of Emergency Services. “When signs are damaged or removed, it can cause confusion, delays to emergency incidents, and increases the likelihood of accidents.”
Vandalism of public property, including road signs, can result in criminal charges, fines, and restitution for repair costs. Vandalizing signs is not only illegal but can put lives at risk.
“We encourage the public to be our eyes and ears in the community. By working together, we can reduce these incidents and maintain safety on our roads,” said Joe Gamble, Talbot County Sheriff.
For more information, or to report an incident, please contact the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office at 410-822-1020 or email at [email protected]. Any information can be made anonymously and will be kept confidential.