Philly councilman wants to double fines for posting “bandit” signs

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 Councilman Bobby Henon says wants the fine for putting up a so-called

Councilman Bobby Henon says wants the fine for putting up a so-called "bandit sign" to be $1,000 in the worst cases. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

Would raising fines for posting illegal signs on utility poles cut Philadelphia’s visual clutter?

One city councilman thinks so.

Councilman Bobby Henon says wants the fine for putting up a so-called “bandit sign” to be $1,000 in the worst cases.

“We’re trying to change behavior, we are trying to hold people more accountable but also give the power of the people to not feel as there is going to be retaliation from the businesses for taking down the signs that are blighting up the neighborhood,” said Henon.

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Henon is proposing hiking fines across the board.

“The bill increases the fines from $75 to $150 also if they willfully disregard the of the violations per sign and when they go to court the fines go up to $300 and goes up to $1,000 for a class two violation.”

His bill also gives anyone the right to take down the signs, which Henon says are a blight on Philadelphia’s landscape.

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