Weprin Wants Tougher Penalties for Posting Illegal Signs on Public Property

City Council members Mark Weprin and Daniel Dromm are calling for greater enforcement and higher fines for residents who put up illegal signs on public property.

The Council members have introduced a bill that would triple fines for illegally posting the signs, which they say can be distracting for motorists.

“The number of illegal signs is multiplying and we must increase both fines and enforcement to discourage this pattern from continuing,” Weprin, D-Oakland Gardens, said.

The councilman said the signs deface public property and strain resources because the city is often left to remove them.

The Council members also called on the city’s Department of Sanitation to enforce existing rules about illegally posting signs.

“My office has attempted on numerous occasions to contact and work directly with the businesses that regularly post their signs on public property,” Dromm, D-Jackson Heights, said. “However, most have been unresponsive to and uncooperative with requests that they cease their illegal advertising.”

Patch wants to hear from its readers. Do you believe that businesses have gotten out of control in northeast Queens by posting illegal signs on public property? Post your comment in the section provided below.