COOLIDGE, AZ – Stop signs were discovered missing over the weekend at two intersections in Coolidge, and authorities have determined the signs were intentionally removed.
The Coolidge Police Department reported that stop signs were missing at the intersections of Martin Road & Attaway and Martin Road & Nafziger Road. While such incidents sometimes occur when vehicles accidentally knock over signs without reporting the damage, inspection revealed that all stop signs at both locations were deliberately removed from the intersections.
The removal of traffic control devices is treated as a serious criminal offense in Arizona. Under Arizona Revised Statute § 28-649, the deliberate removal of stop signs constitutes a Class 1 misdemeanor – equivalent in severity to a DUI offense. Individuals convicted of this crime face substantial penalties, including up to six months in jail, fines of up to $2,500 plus surcharges, and up to three years of probation.
Beyond the legal consequences, the missing signs pose significant safety risks and could lead to serious accidents or fatalities.
The Coolidge Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding the individual responsible for removing the signage to contact the department.
