WESTFIELD – Street signs disappeared in a rash of thefts that kept the Westfield Department of Public Works busy replacing them last week.
In fact, the DPW, did such a good job replacing the signs that numerous residents interviewed about the missing signage hadn’t even noticed.
Westfield Police Captain Michael McCabe said 20 signs were reported missing or damaged. The thefts/vandalism all occurred between July 17-20.
A resident sitting at the Municipal Playground on Greylock Street Friday, who preferred not to give her name, was surprised by the thefts.
“Signs are really important,” she said.
Casey Berube, DPW Deputy Superintendent, said the signs were taken or damaged west of and including Washington Street and along Western Avenue up to Westfield State University.
He said the DPW had received complaints about the missing signs, so they immediately worked on replacing them. By early Friday afternoon all the signs were reported to be fixed and/or replaced, according to Berube.
According to the police logs, a DPW representative contacted Westfield Police about the larceny at 1:15 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
The following locations had signs taken: Thomas Street, King Street, High Street, Laura Drive, Dickens Drive, Washington Street, Dickinson Place and Hawthorne Avenue.
The following locations had signs and posts taken: Apple Orchard Heights, Donald Street, Birch Terrace, Lowell Avenue, Lathrop Avenue and Greylock Street.
The following locations had signs/posts missing and/or damaged: Evergreen Drive, Broadway, Orchard Street, Spruce Circle, Kipling Avenue and Dug Road.
