Graffiti causes danger as well as a mess

Interstate Graffiti



Graffiti artists are costing the state thousands of dollars and the Nebraska Department of Roads is asking for help from alert drivers.

Vandals are spraying graffiti on signs that span the Interstate and creating potentially dangerous situations.

"This is our responsibility," said Dale Butler, maintenance manager of the State Department of Roads.

He says graffiti along the interstate has always been a problem but it's getting expensive.

"It probably costs us tens of thousands of dollars a year to remove this stuff," he said. "You figure a $3 can of spray paint, it's probably going to cost two to three hundred dollars to get that off that sign. And if it damages the sign, we have to replace the sign and it's in the $5,000 range."

Another problem is when vandals mess with signals intended for high-speed drivers.

"It becomes a safety issue," said Butler. "Especially for someone that's from out of town and don't know where they're at."

It's also dangerous for the vandal and the workers who have to clean up the mess.

"When we go up to fix that, we're going to have people with safety harnesses on in case they fall and things like that," said Butler. "Yes, they could easily fall off there. It's not that safe to be up there."

Unfortunately, access for workers equals access for vandals.

Side ladders reach the top of the signpost and a catwalk takes workers over the interstate.

Chains and locks are not enough to keep the vandals out. Butler believes they come at night.

The signs are all well lit and ample traffic causes Butler to believe drivers may have seen the graffiti vandal in action.

To report incidents of graffiti along the Interstate, drivers should call 911.

Butler said instances of graffiti along the Interstate in west Omaha are slightly increasing.

His district deals with about half a dozen cases each year.