Road signs disappearing in Madison County

ASHEVILLE -- Madison County officials, emergency personnel and local residents are dealing with an increase in stolen road name signs. The Asheville Citizen-Times reports that the county is responsible for the signs since implementation of the E911 emergency communications system which calls for every road in the county to be named if it provides access to three or more homes. Emergency personnel responding to a medical situation or house fire might be delayed because well-marked roads suddenly might all look the same without an identifying sign. County Commissioner Eddie Fox says the problem could be organized youths stealing the signs to see who can collect the most. Fox also suspects some may see the metal signs and posts as valuable recyclables exchanged for cash. The lost signs cost between $45 and $70 apiece. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)