Replacing stolen street signs cost local taxpayers $5,000 a year in materials, according to Chattooga County Public Works Director Lamar Canada.

The cost of labor for county crews to replace the signs are not included. Neither is the cost of a human life.

“New (ambulance operators or sheriff’s deputies) may not be familiar with this area,” Canada said.

For example, sometimes the number of emergency calls coming into 9-1-1 exceeds the number of available ambulances. Locals then depend on Redmond or Floyd Hospital ambulances to help out. These out-of-town helpers don’t know our roads and a missing street sign could mean “life or death.”