How low can some people go?

[Kip Powick]

Theft of Highway of Heroes signs ‘deplorable’

Thieves stealing 'Highway of Heroes' signs erected last month on the 401 are being described as cowards, and the bottom rung of society.

Ironically thieves had to go to great heights, using ladders and the back of trucks to steal the signs.

According to the OPP, four Highway of Heroes signs have been stolen along the 401 between Port Hope and Trenton within the last three weeks.

The provincial government designated the portion of the 401 between Trenton and Hwy 410 in Toronto as the Highway of Heroes in September in recognition for Canadian Troops killed in Afghanistan. Hearses carrying the caskets of the fallen soldiers use the highway to Toronto, where autopsies are conducted at the Centre for Forensic Sciences.

Hundreds of people stand on the overpasses, many holding Canadian flags and signs of support, watch as processions from CFB Trenton pass underneath.

Quinte West OPP detachment commander, Insp. Earl Johns described the thefts as deplorable.

Johns said stealing 'yield' or 'stop' signs is common place.

But he never thought he would see the day when misguided individuals would denigrate the meaning behind the Highway of Heroes designation.

“Obviously these people (thieves) haven’t stopped on overpasses along the 401,or been at CFB Trenton to witness the emotion (of the repatriation ceremonies). How low can you stoop on the stepladder of society? These people have stepped on the bottom rung,’’ said Johns.

The signs are the smaller of two types and are located at the end of 'on' ramps at interchanges along the highway.

The signs have the words "Highway of Heroes" with a red poppy underneath and then the word "Ontario" beneath the poppy.

Two signs were taken from the Port Hope area, at the Welcome and County Rd. 28 interchanges.

A third was taken at the Grafton Lyle Street interchange and a fourth at the Wooler Road interchange near Trenton.

A maintenance company for Hwy. 401 replaced the signs as soon as they were noticed missing.

The OPP would like to receive any information regarding the thefts.

Police say signs are high enough that thieves would have to stand on a ladder or the back of a truck to take the sign bracket off the post.

Johns said the fact the signs maybe hanging in someone's bedroom or garage as "trophies" is a sickening thought.

“Who would have thought that someone would steal those signs?’’ said Johns.

People with information are being asked to contact their closest OPP detachment or Crime Stoppers.

[dagger]

Wonder if they will make their way eventually to EBay. Sounds like souvenir hunting.

[deicer]

Wonder if they will make their way eventually to EBay.

Capitalism at it's finest.