'We don't know who owns the signs': Hundreds of yard signs being investigated as illegal dumping
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Tax season is here and if you've been driving around Milwaukee, you might have noticed hundreds of signs popping up on street corners and light posts.
The yard signs seemed to have appeared all over Milwaukee overnight, on 27th and Ohio alone, six are scattered on the busy road.
City leaders say the signs are illegal and now crews are trying to remove them.
"That could be a public safety hazard, so the Department of Public Works (DPW) is tasked with cleaning up the public right of way and taking those signs down. DPW frankly has better things to do with their time," said Alderman Peter Burgelis.
While it's fairly typical for businesses to use yard signs for advertisement, Alderman Peter Burgelis says these ones stood out to him.
"These signs were prolific and they didn't stop and it wasn't just one sign on an intersection but a dozen here, a dozen there, a dozen somewhere else. There are hundreds of these signs out in the public right of way and frankly on private property," said Alderman Burgelis.
The company doesn't have permission or a permit to put up the signs.
"I spent about 20 or 30 minutes, and I got a couple dozen of these signs which was frankly far too easy to pick up than it should have been. These signs are everywhere, they're a distraction," said Alderman Burgelis.
Alderman Burgelis tried to figure out the business behind the signs.
"A gentleman identified himself but wouldn't give me his last name or supervisor's name," Alderman Burgelis explained. "When a company is advertising and doing business in our city and doesn't identify themselves it's a huge red flag for consumers."
The fine for placing a sign in a public right of way ranges from $25 to $500.
"We don't know who owns the signs or who placed them. The best advice is to grab the sign and toss it," said Alderman Burgelis.
Alderman Burgelis alerted the attorney general's office and state consumer protection division who are now investigating the signs as illegal dumping.