The cash offer was prompted after an increase in thefts over the past year.

DCRC Managing Director James Harris collaborated with the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police and the Dickinson County Prosecuting Attorney to develop a plan to address the problem.

“They are all on board as partners and are willing to take action if they find those responsible,” Harris said.

“We are hoping this deters more thefts from happening,” said DCRC sign technician Tino Mariucci.

DICKINSON COUNTY ROAD Commission Managing Director James Harris, left, and DCRC sign technician Tino Mariucci place a new reflective reward sticker on the back of a replacement sign. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

The community is keeping watch as well but is tough, as the signs are probably being taken in the middle of the night, they said.

“This is a very serious matter, as you can also be held criminally liable if someone gets hurt or killed,” Harris said.

New reflective orange violation stickers have been created and are now being added to the back of signs throughout the county. Each sticker states the conditions of the reward, dictates the law violation and officials’ contact information.

“The fact is if they get caught it is $1,000 for the first offense,” Harris said.

In addition to the new sticker, a security and location identification system is being used that will not be made public.

“If we locate a sign, now we are going to know where it is,” he said. “We have a system in place.”

Mariucci said more than 50 signs have been stolen countywide in the past 18 months. The DCRC is responsible for about 20,000 to 30,000 traffic signs.

“We have had trouble in the past, but nothing like this — it’s a weekly thing now,” Harris said.

A heavy theft area has been the south end of Dickinson County.

“The Peavy Falls area railroad crossbucks are another continuous problem,” Mariucci said. “I would replace them on Thursday and they would be gone by Monday.”

Recently taken was a steep hill sign in Norway Township that had just been replaced this past summer.

All types of signs have been stolen, but among the most popular are deer, tractor, cow or horse crossing signs.

“You name it, they’ve been stealing it,” Mariucci said.

Last spring, the 12-by-8-foot aluminum “Pure Michigan” sign on U.S. 8 in Norway that welcomed drivers as they came across the bridge from Niagara, Wis., went missing.

“They took a chainsaw and cut the posts off and lifted it over the guard rail,” Mariucci said.

“That was a multiple-person deal; there’s no way anyone could do that theft alone,” Harris said, adding the state of Michigan has not replaced it yet.

They both noted that in the past only the sign was involved but now they are having to replace posts that are taken or cut as well.

Mariucci has approached a local scrap metal business and keeps close watch on the Facebook marketplace for any leads.

But they suspect the signs may be ending up in “man caves” as artwork.

“Anything a little unique, that’s the ones they are drawn to,” Harris said.

The rural areas of Dickinson County are more likely to have signs defaced or damaged, often with gunfire. Fines remain the same as in a theft case, as all damaged signs still have to be replaced, they said.

Harris estimates it costs the county between $300 to $350 to put up a new sign, which includes the sign, post, other materials, fuel and company time.

“For Tino, just maintaining the signs in the county is a full-time job, without having go back to replace the stolen ones,” Harris said.

He stressed not to make a $1,000 mistake — they will press charges.

Anyone with tips or who witnesses a theft is asked to contact the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department at 906-774-6262 or the DCRC office at 906-774-1588.