Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND -Sign vandalism continues to be a problem in Barton County. During his county services report to Commissioners on Monday, Administrator Richard Boeckman informed the board that 12 road signs had recently been vandalized South and East of Claflin resulting in almost $1,800 damage.

When asked by Commissioner Homer Krukenberg if his office is having any luck tracking down the vandals, Sheriff Brian Bellendir said it is difficult to do. “It can be long time before someone or the county crews notice a sign is down and some of it is not vandalism but oil field and farm activity,” said Bellendir. “It’s sporadic and all over the county, it’s difficult to get enforcement on it.”

Last year 268 signs were vandalized at a cost of $40,000. The budget for replacing signs was only $30,000. A new stop sign costs $150.

Some of the damaged signs are recycled or donated, while signs with graffiti on them can be refurbished at half the cost of a new sign.