Some people want city to crack down on sign violations

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Some people want Charlotte to crack down more on campaign and other signs.

The rules say you can't put business, campaign signs or similar signs within 11 feet of a road or on utility poles.  Eyewitness News found many examples that break the law.

Southwest Charlotte resident Michael Byers realizes the city probably isn't going to spend the money to hire more Code Enforcement officers to patrol this.  So he has two suggestions: make the fines bigger and hire volunteers who are authorized to go around, document violations and take photos.  He's ready to volunteer.

"I see this happening all the time, especially repeat -- what I call repeat offenders,” he said. “They put these signs out on the curb repeatedly."

Eyewitness News was there five years ago when city leaders struggled with this very problem.  They increased the penalties to as much as $1,000.  Some think it's unlikely the city will revisit the issue.

"We actually have some very tough penalties in place now,” City Council member Michael Barnes said.

WSOC