Someone is stealing street signs in north Whatcom County, escalating driving dangers
Someone is stealing road signs across north Whatcom County, and authorities are warning that the thefts are creating a dangerous situation for motorists and pedestrians.
Since Jan. 26, nine stop signs, along with a street name sign and crosswalk indicators, have been reported stolen in Blaine and Birch Bay, according to Blaine Police Department Sgt. Timothy Richardson and Deb Slater with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities have not yet linked any crashes to the missing signs, and Slater said no suspects have been identified.
Richardson said it seems likely the thief is the same person or group of people.
Police have identified no motive for the thefts, but Richardson said the thieves used tools to cut the bolts securing the sign to the posts, indicating at least some planning was involved.
“When officers were on scene, several motorists were confused if they should stop or not. This is a serious safety concern, and could lead to an accident,” Richardson told The Herald in an email.
In a March 2 social media post, the Blaine Police Department called out the thief, noting that the thefts present a public safety danger, and it costs about $250 to replace each sign. With 11 signs stolen over the last few weeks, it brings the total damage to about $2,750.
The thefts started Jan. 26 at Grandview and Point Whitehorn Road intersection. Then two more signs went missing Feb. 16 at the same place, Slater told The Herald.
Six signs have been reported in the first three days of March, all within 10 square miles of each other.
On March 1, two stop signs were reported missing at Semiahmoo Parkway and Drayton Harbor Road intersection, and at Harvey and Sweet Roads. The Harvey Road sign was also stolen March 1, according to Slater and Richardson.
A stop sign at Semiahmoo Park and a crosswalk sign were stolen March 2, Richardson said.
On March 3, another sign was reported stolen at the intersection of Anderson Road and Harvey Road, Slater said.
This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 9:37 AM.
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