91原创 City is hoping people lighten up during the holidays.
A new campaign is using humorous signs to deter would-be vandals from damaging City Christmas lights and decorations.
In 2018, the City had to replace some downtown LED lights on more than one occasion after vandals cut light strings to shreds.
This year the City wants to get out in front of the problem but in a unique way.
Signs have sprung up around the City with witty sayings such as 鈥淗e knows when you鈥檝e been sleeping, He knows when you鈥檙e awake, He knows if you鈥檝e been bad or good, So don鈥檛 vandalize, for goodness sake.鈥�
The campaign is the brainchild of City Parks manager John Epplette.
鈥淭he big thing for us was to create signage that would be fun and witty,鈥� he said.
The goal is to get people to think about the joy holiday displays bring to local residents, visitors and anyone in the area.
鈥淚f in turn, maybe a vandal would look at these signs and think it鈥檚 quite funny and not do any damage,鈥� Epplette said.
This is more of a 鈥榣et鈥檚 keep on top of it鈥� approach, he said.
鈥淲e鈥檝e seen some [vandalism] in the past and being that we were kind of going above and beyond this year, we just really wanted to bring everyone鈥檚 attention to the lights and more for everyone to understand that the lights are for them,鈥� he said.
鈥� READ MORE: 91原创 City Christmas lighs cut to ribbons
City staff were able to suggest sayings that would be printed on the signs.
鈥淲e did a little contest within our City departments,鈥� he explained.
He and his wife, Simone, came up with some and 14 sayings were chosen for the signs.
There are signs in McBurney Plaza, Innes Corners and Douglas Park.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had some very positive response with all the lights,鈥� he noted.
A crew of about six staff took almost four weeks to decorate the City鈥檚 public spaces.
鈥淭his year we鈥檝e added quite a few, especially here in McBurney and really the intention is to just spread some cheer in a year that鈥檚 been really challenging for a lot of people,鈥� Epplette said.
Sayings on the Christmas signs:
鈥� These lights are for YOU and me鈥�. So please just let them be! # StopVandalism
鈥� These lights are for ALL to enjoy鈥� NOT destroy! # StopVandalism
鈥� He knows when you鈥檝e been sleeping, He knows when you鈥檙e awake, He knows if you鈥檝e been bad or good, So don鈥檛 vandalize, for goodness sake. # StopVandalism
鈥� All the decorations are hung with care, Including the cameras, so vandals BEWARE! # StopVandalism
鈥� Year after year, People damage our lights! Maybe this year, Just let them shine bright! # StopVandalism
鈥� City sidewalks, pretty sidewalks, Let鈥檚 keep them dressed in holiday style! # StopVandalism
鈥� We know it鈥檚 been a rough year, Leave the lights to bring us cheer! # StopVandalism
鈥� It鈥檚 the most wonderful time of the year, Please leave our lights, to spread some cheer! # StopVandalism
鈥� Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Let these lights shine bright! # StopVandalism
鈥� Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way. Please don鈥檛 ruin Our Christmas display! # StopVandalism
鈥� It鈥檚 beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Let鈥檚 keep it that way! # StopVandalism
鈥� In a world of Grinches鈥�. Be a Griswald! # StopVandalism
鈥� Let these light, bring you peace. Let the vandalism cease! # StopVandalism
鈥� This City is OUR home, So please leave the lights alone! # StopVandalism
Watch the dedicated 91原创 City Parks Department spread the Christmas joy this holiday season in Operation Christmas Lights!
鈥� 91原创 City (@91原创City_)
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