MOORESVILLE, N.C.,None — Enough's enough, says one local business owner.
Lynne Gingras is having trouble keeping her sign in front of Andre Christine Gallery. Thieves have twice stolen the custom-made signs from her art gallery at N.C. 150 and Ervin Road.
"It is just so frustrating as a new business, trying so hard to let people know we are up the street, and having a sign repeatedly being stolen," Gingras said. "We are at loss as to why someone continues to steal our sign. I would hope that someone would just return it."
Gingras said it has cost her $100 each time to replace the signs.
"The extra expense to the business is unnecessary, especially in this economy when everyone including the local artists are trying to make a living," she said. "I'd rather donate $100 to a worthy cause rather than buy another sign."
The most recent sign was a custom made double-sided sign that Gingras said had to be hammered into the ground and had a lock and metal cord on it tied to the pole.
"It was not just a yank-out-of-the-ground issue," she added. "Why it's not right is because it had a lock and cable on it. Someone had to stop and think about it."
The first of the two identical signs had only been put out four times and was only placed outside on Fridays and Saturdays. By the end of the day on the second Saturday, Gingras said the sign was gone.
"Can someone just tell me why people steal private property?" Gingras asked. "This sign is used solely to let the public know we are up the road on the right."
The latest sign was stolen on Aug. 27 in broad daylight sometime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
"I'm afraid to even put the (new) sign out."
Gingras said the Mooresville police told her they would keep an eye out for the stolen signs. "We even told the manager of (nearby) Lone Star about it and checked the area for us to see if it had blown over or had been thrown away in the dumpsters."
Mooresville Police Chief Carl Robbins offered a few tips to area business owners on how to prevent signs like this from being stolen in the future.
"First check with the Town," he said. "If it doesn't meet the sign ordinance with the town then it could possibly be taken down, so businesses need to check with the town zoning department on specific rules for that."
Next, "Do what we call hardening the target, by doing anything that would deter someone from taking the sign by locking or bolting it to prevent crime and would take time to steal something. Unfortunately the more interesting or attractive a sign is more likely to be stolen.
Robbins also encouraged any political candidates to know rules with sign ordinances, especially during political season.
Gingras feels that kids may have taken her signs. "I can't imagine an adult wasting their time on it," she said. "I'm just hoping that someone noticed.
"I'd be happy to have (them) back. Enough is enough; you've had your kicks now. I just want my signs back."
Anyone with information about Gingras' signs can call her at 704-664-1164 or email her at Lynne@AndreChristineGallery.com.