People in Regency area fed up with snipe signs, city shares solution

Some Southside neighbors said it's time for something to be done about all of the snipe signs in the Regency area.

One frustrated neighbor reached out to Action News Jax, wondering what can be done to stop them from popping up throughout the community.

Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole got answers from the City of Jacksonville about an incentive they've created to help get rid of them.

“It’s trashy,” Tina Muten told Action News Jax. Muten is referring to the snipe signs she’s seen. “They’re all over the place!” Muten said.

They’re the cheap signs you see stuck in the grass and posted to trees, at least that’s what some people who live, work and shop in the area told Cole. These signs are also illegal.

“I don’t really believe most of them because they don’t give you enough information,” Tzar Derrico said.

If a person is caught putting them up in the public right of way, they could face between $150 and $500 in fines from the city.

The City of Jacksonville is working to tackle them with its blight initiative.

The city is willing to pay Duval County residents 50 cents for every sign they bring in to their annual sign and tire buyback program.

However, you can only turn in up to 40 signs. The City says real estate signs are not accepted.

The sign and tire buyback program has been held for the last Five years, but some of the people Cole  spoke to said they had no idea the buyback program existed.

“We pick up trash, so if we do see some around, that’s nice to know if we pick them up — we can get rid for them,” Muten said.

Some neighbors said reporting the signs to the city is not enough.

Action News Jax asked the city if there any other steps that can be taken to fight against the unsightly signs.

Tia Ford, the Spokeswoman for the City of Jacksonville, said people are welcome to remove and dispose of the signs when they see them, as long the removal is done in a safe and peaceful manner.

Ford also told Action News Jax, “Municipal Code Compliance officers work seven days a week removing any snipe sign that violates city ordinance throughout the city, including those observed that have not been reported.”

People can report them online here or by calling 630-c-i-t-y.

Click here for more information about the City of Jacksonville's "Fight Neighborhood Blight" Initiative.

Cox Media Group