Posted on March 4: McMaster, Mohawk, Hamilton Police launch sign amnesty program

McMaster Security Services, in partnership with the Hamilton Police Service and Mohawk College Security, is launching a new Community Road Sign Amnesty Program.

The kick-off will take place Wednesday in the McMaster University Student Centre at 9:30 a.m.

From March 5-31, anyone in possession of a street sign can drop it off at any Hamilton police station, McMaster Security Services or Mohawk College security office.

“The program will enable those in the community who are inadvertently in possession of any street signs, such as road or traffic, the opportunity to return them without fear of prosecution,” says Cathy O'Donnell, McMaster's sergeant of crime prevention. “This Program is designed to educate the public about the costs and possible serious consequences of road sign theft.”

The cost of replacing signs in the City of Hamilton is approximately $300 per sign.

The program does not negate criminal charges if a person is found in possession of a sign during this period and is not making a concerted effort to turn it over to the police. The punishment for possession of property obtained by crime is a jail term of up to two years. If a fatal collision was to occur, which was directly due to a sign being stolen, the involved thief could face a charge of criminal negligence causing death, increasing the punishment of jail time.

The program was first developed and implemented in 1993 by constable Dave Milsip of the Hamilton Police Service.

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McMaster Security Services, in partnership with the Hamilton Police Service and Mohawk College Security, is launching a new Community Road Sign Amnesty Program.<p><br />
<br />
The kick-off will take place Wednesday in the McMaster University Student Centre at 9:30 a.m.<p><br />
<br />
From March 5-31, anyone in possession of a street sign can drop it off at any Hamilton police station, McMaster Security Services or Mohawk College security office.<p><br />
<br />
"The program will enable those in the community who are inadvertently in possession of any street signs, such as road or traffic, the opportunity to return them without fear of prosecution," says Cathy O&#039;Donnell, McMaster&#039;s sergeant of crime prevention. "This Program is designed to educate the public about the costs and possible serious consequences of road sign theft."<p><br />
<br />
The cost of replacing signs in the City of Hamilton is approximately $300 per sign.<p><br />
<br />
The program does not negate criminal charges if a person is found in possession of a sign during this period and is not making a concerted effort to turn it over to the police. The punishment for possession of property obtained by crime is a jail term of up to two years.  If a fatal collision was to occur, which was directly due to a sign being stolen, the involved thief could face a charge of criminal negligence causing death, increasing the punishment of jail time.<p><br />
<br />
The program was first developed and implemented in 1993 by constable Dave Milsip of the Hamilton Police Service.<p>

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