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Sign removal technique 101

From: XXX XXXXXX
Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 01:48:18 EDT
Subject: Sign removal technique 101.
To: info@uglylitter.com

Basic required equipment:

1. Diagonal pliers (or any type of cutters for cutting the plastic tie wraps used to
attach signs to metal poles.) 

2. A shipping crate hammer (or other type of claw hammer to pry off the signs from utility
poles.)

3. A three or four foot length of 1 by 2 or gas pipe, or water pipe, to wack the
signs off the poles. This tool is by far the easiest to use. One wack and most signs
come off the pole. Even the ones that have long nails attaching them to the poles. For
the signs that are up high, a six to eight foot length of gas or water pipe works for 99%
of the signs. This is much easier and safer than a ladder. 

4. I have a construction workers hard hat, orange vest, gloves, pencil and notebook. 
I carry my City ID card.

Some days I make a special trip to remove signs, but mostly I just have my basic stuff
and remove signs when I see them. I can carry this stuff in a back pack and go on my bike
sometimes. (without the 8 foot water pipe). I can pick up ten signs in an hour on my
bike.

I've got to go now. I have more information on community involvment that I'll share next
time.

Call your local Code Enforcement Officer at city hall and become a volunteer. It gives
you confidence that you have official backing. Most communities have laws against these
signs, but don't have the money to remove them but once or twice a year. My goal in that
no sign is up for more than 24 hours.

A worthy goal! Thank you VERY much for your contribution. We're sure it will help many volunteers be more efficient sign removers!

Pipe is a great tool. We also like to use collapsable asps which the police also use as batons. Asps fit easily in a car for quick access. Unfortunately they're not stiff enough for extended use. For true irony, we like to disassemble signs on wooden sticks then use the sticks to thwack down other signs. Thwacking signs is great fun!