To the public,
There seems to be a lack of knowledge about the law and political signs, or signage in general, and I want to assist the public with this issue.
Political signs and their placement have been an exceptionally contentious matter this year, and I feel it is incumbent upon me to clarify some matters associated with them. It is a criminal violation of Georgia Law to place ANY kind of sign on the right-of-way of any public road.
According to O.C.G.A. 32-6-51, the penalty for violating this code section is the same as that provided for littering. O.C.G.A. 16-7-43 prescribes the penalty for littering to be a misdemeanor, and all misdemeanors have a penalty of a fine of up to $1,000, and/or up to 12 months of confinement in the county jail.
I will admit that the aforementioned law has been generally unenforced by all law enforcement agencies throughout the state, and I further confess that Putnam County has been somewhat lax in its enforcement. However, as the political sign issue has now been exacerbated to a new level of trouble, I believe the time has come to begin some proper enforcement of the law.
The public needs to understand that a violation of state law for placing signs on the right-of-way of public roads is not an offense you will just get a ticket for; the procedure for violators will be a physical arrest, followed by booking into the county jail and release upon posting bond.
Lastly, I recommend that all signage in the right-of-way of all public roads be removed, as required by law.
Sheriff Howard R. Sills, Putnam County