The Madison Parish 911 Office is asking residents to check whether road or street signs in their neighborhoods are missing and to report any theft or vandalism, offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Cynthia Arender Machen, Madison Parish 911 director, said many road signs throughout the parish have been stolen, removed or vandalized, creating problems for emergency vehicles, first responders and service providers trying to locate addresses.
“The reports we have received are that it is young people seen removing the signs,” Machen said.
According to the 911 Office, the issue caused problems during the winter ice and snow storm in January when Entergy crews worked to restore power after hundreds of homes lost electricity. Entergy workers from across the United States were sent to Madison Parish to assist with restoration efforts.
Entergy and Northeast Power workers were unable to locate homes because of missing road signs and missing 911 address signs at residences throughout the city and parish, the 911 Office said. Many of the workers were from Florida, Georgia and Tennessee and were unfamiliar with local roads and streets in Madison Parish, which hindered power restoration.
The Madison Parish 911 Office replaces missing road signs on a weekly basis. The Madison Parish Public Works Department road crew reports which signs need replacing to the 911 director. The signs are made at the 911 office, and road crews replace approximately 10 to 15 signs per week. Road signs within the city limits of Tallulah are replaced by the City of Tallulah street department.
Machen asked residents to report anyone seen removing or stealing road signs to the Madison Parish Sheriff’s Department or the Tallulah Police Department. Theft of road signs carries a $500 fine and possible jail time.
Machen also asked parents to check teenagers’ rooms and vehicles for road signs.
Sheriff’s deputies have not made any arrests but have received several leads, according to the 911 Office.
The 911 Office said missing road signs pose risks to residents, as emergency responders may be unable to locate addresses when responding to calls. The office also noted that delivery services, including UPS, FedEx and DoorDash, are unable to locate homes without proper road signage and visible 911 address signs.
The 911 Office provides replacement 911 address signs free of charge for residents who need one.
Residents are asked to report missing road or street signs to Machen at the Madison Parish 911 Office at 318-341-1697. The 911 Office said individuals who provide information leading to an arrest and conviction are eligible for a $500 reward, and their name and identity will remain confidential. They will not be required to testify in court.
“See something, say something,” the notice stated. “Collect a reward.”
