HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 009 (4) INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 23-009
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 24, 2023
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SUBJECT: REMOVAL AND ENFORCEMENT OF BANDIT SIGNS
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The City Council requested an update on the removal and enforcement of illegal bandit signs. A bandit sign is
typically a sign that is illegally attached to a utility pole or placed in the right-of-way advertising such activities
as buying homes, losing weight, working from home, etc.
While there is not dedicated staff to bandit sign removal, field crews in various City departments routinely
remove signs in the general course of their operations, such as removing bandit signs while mowing medians.
This participation by multiple City departments creates a large positive impact without adversely affecting other
services/budget. Primary departments include Development Services, Parks, TPW and Code Compliance.
The Police Department will assist as time allows in problem areas (Neighborhood Police Officers).
Sign enforcement is primarily a function of the Development Services Department. This department only has
two full-time sign inspectors to cover the entire city. They primarily focus on commercial signage on private
property. The Code Compliance Department assists with bandit signs on public property. Since 2010, Code
Compliance officers have been doing sweeps, removing signs and doing enforcement. Overall, it is estimated
that the City removes more than 40,000 illegal bandit signs each year.
When chronic violators are identified, Development Services, Code Compliance and the Prosecutor's Office
work closely on enforcement action. The issuance of a citation requires staff to observe the sign being placed
in the right-of-way and issue a citation to the person doing it.
This is a national problem and increasingly we are seeing the use of 800 numbers, disposable phones and
shell companies as tactics to avoid enforcement action, not only by the City, but by other taxing entities, fraud
investigations, etc. Enforcement is not impossible, but it is very staff-intensive and time-consuming. The most
effective response is therefore to remove the signs as soon as possible to minimize any advertising benefit to
the unlawful business practice.
In summary, cooperation by multiple City departments allows the City to continue removing illegal bandit signs
with limited budget impact. The general public can serve as the City's eyes and ears by reporting chronic
violations using the MyFW app, contacting the Call Center at 817-392-1234 or on the City's website at
https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/Home.
For questions regarding this information, please contact Brandon Bennett, Code Compliance Director at
brandon.ben netta-fortworthtexas.go\,.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS