There has been a surge in graffiti and vandalism on road and other signs in the Kom, which is viewed as a serious crime by officials, who say that obscured signs can endanger lives.
Road safety KRRA team leader Caro Smit says there has been a noticeable increase in the number of street signs defaced by stickers, tagging and other graffiti.
This form of vandalism is deemed a serious crime by the City of Cape Town, which can result in a fine of R15,000, as well a fine to cover costs of removal.
As Smit says "what would happen if someone is drowning, and you rush up to the pink lifesaver buoy supplied by the NSRI but you can't read the instructions because someone has defaced it?"
Construction signs in Wireless Road are the latest to get 'tagged' in red paint. In one case, the same tag also appeared on the boardwalk at the Kom. The identity of those responsible, and the streets where they live nearby, is being investigated. The new signs, which warn motorists of the road works and inform them of safe speeds, cost between R2,500 and R5,000 each. The signs will now have to be removed, taken somewhere to be cleaned and then replaced, or new signs put up.
The KRRA calls on parents who are aware that their kids are leaving home with spray cans and graffiti tools, to speak to their kids before authorities escalate the issue to crime prevention units. Better still, get them to remove the stickers and paint.
"To think that our children are doing this in the village!" said a resident.
Kom resident and doctor Mike Smit said: "If they were brave enough to go out at night to tag the signs, perhaps they will be brave enough to take turpentine to remove the paint, and also remove the stickers!”
Lubricants like WD40 or Q20 apparently work well to remove stickers from cars, so should prove effective in removing stickers from road signs. Parents, feel free to pass this onto any trigger-happy offenders you know! Apparently, you spray it on, wait for about 15mins, and peel off what you can. Repeat until the sticker comes off.
Regarding the NSRI buoys, Smit said: "Damaging and defacing public property, let alone those that are potentially life saving, is the work of self centered and inconsiderate people. Step forward and be accounted for!"
In a previous article, an Arrive Alive national road safety campaign spokesperson warned that defaced signage could pose a serious threat to motorists, especially those unfamiliar with the roads: "Signs are there to inform motorists and if they can't see them it could be very dangerous."
In another article, former spokesperson for City of Cape Town's transport, roads and stormwater, Frank van der Velde, said the police had been instructed to treat graffiti on road signs as a serious crime.
"We look upon it very seriously. It's not funny. It's not even a question of the environment or vandalism. It's a question of endangering the public," he said.
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