Sumner County roads superintendent Toby Ellis reported that almost 80 traffic signs vanished from seven county roads over a single weekend, prompting a rapid replacement effort that cost the county nearly $20,000. The stolen items included stop signs, speed‑limit markers and curve and bridge warnings on Mud Hollow Road, Garrison Branch, Weeping Willow, Liberty Lane, Cummins Lane, Jones Lane and New Hope Road.
County response and cost
Ellis said crews worked for about four days to install new signs after the thefts were discovered. “It was one weekend that almost 80 signs came up missing,” he told reporters. “They’re supposed to be anti‑theft, but they figured out a way to do it, so we’re going to change some of what we do to make it harder for them to steal them.” The replacement effort is approaching $20,000, a figure Ellis emphasized is a serious financial burden for the county.
Safety concerns drive urgency
Beyond the expense, Ellis warned that missing signs create dangerous conditions for drivers unfamiliar with the area. “The cost is one thing, but the safety is key,” he said. Without stop signs or bridge markers, motorists could unintentionally run through intersections or miss critical warnings on winding roads.
Possible suspects and community appeal
Ellis believes a group of teenagers may be responsible, describing the act as more than a harmless prank. He asked parents to check any home security footage, including Ring doorbells, that might capture the thefts. “I’m very hopeful parents, you know, check their videos around their homes. Anything they have could give information. Please contact us,” Ellis appealed.
Future prevention measures
The county plans to review its anti‑theft sign designs and explore additional mounting methods to deter future thefts. Ellis indicated that the department will work with law‑enforcement partners to investigate the incident and pursue any leads that arise from community‑provided footage.
What residents can do
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant while driving in the affected areas and report any suspicious activity to the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office. The county will continue to monitor the situation and keep the public informed of any developments.
Original reporting: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
