Illegal advertisements taken off the streets
Illegal advertisement in Ward 97 removed during joint operation a day after Mandela Day.
From street-pole advertising to trailers and billboards illegally erected on the side of roads – all of them were swept off the major roads of Ward 97 during a huge by-law enforcement operation on 19 July.
This big clean-up involving the Metro Police, two security companies (B.C.I and Dowry), the Honeydew Community Policing Forum and Ward 97 councillor, Leah Knott saw everyone putting in an effort with their individual resources to ensure that all the non-law-abiding advertisers’ material was off the streets.
The operation required handyman tools and strong hands to remove all the signs affixed to walls, steel poles and trailers.
In an interview with the Northsider, councillor Knott stressed the big issues which develop from illegal signage in the area. “Illegal signage increases the rate of crime in the area.”
“The area looks neglected because there is no visible policing and no community pride. So people target these areas. And the more you allow lawlessness, the bigger the issue gets,” she said.
She added that businesses always feel as if they are being targeted and that the real crime is not being addressed. However, Knott explained that they have a duty to address every by-law.
She also indicated that there are ways in which businesses can apply to put up advertising, but they do not use them.
“There’s no problem with people advertising, but make sure that you doing it the correct way,” Knott warned, adding that illegal advertising leads to car accidents, when drivers get distracted by the number of signs on busy roads.
Knott also shed light on the new draft by-law which will hold both the advertising agency and business accountable. She said, “It is in the best interest of the company to make sure that the advertising agency they use is legitimate. The new draft by-law will hold the advertising agency and company accountable for illegal advertising.”
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