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“RVA Sign Patrol” clean up the city

Posted at 11:15 PM, Jul 13, 2012
and last updated 2012-07-14 08:18:51-04

Richmond, Va. (WTVR) - Campaign signs are starting to pop up all over Central Virginia, but it’s actually illegal to post them on city property.

So, in an effort to save the taxpayer money by having Richmond Public Works remove the signs, a group who calls themselves the RVA Sign Patrol are doing the job.

RVA Patrol is a bi-partisan group of volunteers created by James J.J. Minor, chairman of the Richmond Democratic Party.

“If we see a sign, we’re going to remove it,” Minor said.

CBS 6 tagged along with Minor and two other volunteers in Richmond’s north side of town.

“We’re patrolling the area,” he said driving in the car looking for signs.

According to the Richmond city law, putting up campaign or business signs on city property, public right of ways, or the median is against the law. 

“We recruited volunteers and we have many folks who want to be part of this effort,” Minor said.

Minor says volunteers include Richmond Tea Party Patriots, Independents and Richmond Republicans.

On Friday night,  Demarus Lipscomb felt compelled to pitch in, even though he lost his best friend that morning.

“For me, personally, I would like to see our city beautiful. I don’t want to see it polluted,” said Lipscomb.

“We have enough blight with homes and everything else,” says volunteer, Annitta Bullock.

She has a 9 month-old baby girl, but says that’s not stopping her.

“If I have to pack a lunch or pack the diaper bag, I’m going to get it done,” she said.

Minor says this isn’t a onetime thing for the RVA Sign Patrol.

He said, “we’re going to do this forever”.

Minor says signs posted on city property carries a fine between $10 and $50.