Washburn police
investigate missing trail signs
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
WASHBURN — Police are seeking the public’s help in finding the person(s) responsible for removing several trail signs along routes through the community around Halloween.
“Washburn ATV Club President Roger Hewitt called me reporting several stop signs had been removed along the trail system. In all, about a half dozen were down as of Thursday,” said Washburn Police Chief Doug Conroy.
A posting on the club’s Facebook page confirmed the report, indicating several of the metal stop signs put up by members of the Washburn Trail Runners Snowmobile and ATV clubs had been “ripped off posts at almost every road crossing.” The signs had been a joint project of the two organizations, with club officials noting on their account that it was “discouraging,” given the hard work members of both clubs put in to ensure safety to all who use the trails.
Another post Thursday afternoon indicated some of the signs had been located and recovered in nearby ditches.
Conroy said it was a matter of safety, since the trails are used by people from away, not just local riders.
“It’s very much a safety issue. Someone unfamiliar with the routes may not be aware there’s a road crossing ahead. The absence of stop signs could result in a serious injury or worse,” said Conroy.
Anyone with information about the removal of the signs is asked to call Conroy at 455-4043.
