Oregon State Police Investigation Vandalism of Roadside Memorial

(HALFWAY, Ore.) - Oregon State Police are trying to figure out who is responsible for vandalizing a highway safety sign near Halfway that was installed in memory of two people killed in an alcohol-related traffic crash nearly two years ago.

OSP Spokesman Greg Hastings says that on August 22nd, an ODOT employee discovered that the highway safety sign was torn down and vandalized from its installed location along Oregon Highway 86, the Baker-Copperfield Highway, near milepost 58 in Baker County.

"The sign post and sign which was installed June 19th was knocked down, painted black and dragged along the ground."

The 3-foot by 2 1/2-foot sign listing "In The Memory of Joe Arant and Mark Arant" was installed as part of ODOT's Impaired Driving Victim Memorial Signing Program in memory of two people killed along the highway November 10th, 2005 involving an intoxicated driver.

Sign after being vandalized

Hastings says the program was established in 1995 to help promote public awareness of the dangers and repercussions of driving impaired by listing the names of crash victims.

"Forty such memorial safety signs have been installed around the state since the program began."

ODOT is in the process of ordering a replacement sign to be installed at a later date.

Oregon State Police Trooper Marcus McDowell is investigating the crime. Anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper McDowell at (541) 963-7175 ext. 4615.

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Robert Sergent September 4, 2007 2:34 pm (Pacific time)

I read with interest your website article regarding a tragic death in your community and the placement of a roadside memorial at the site. It was well written and informative. Your readers would benefit from the knowledge there is an alternative to displaying a roadside memorial on public roads or right of ways. The National Memorial Registry (www.NationalMemorialRegistry.com) is Internet based and offers free of any charge, the opportunity for any individual to dedicate a memorial location to a loved one. With the help of our extensive database of mapping software, a person can dedicate a specific address, site, or location in honor of, or to validate, the life of an individual that has an influence on their lives. Every memorial dedication is displayed on our maps for the world to view. It is a well known fact that many individuals need to experience the grieving process through the display of a roadside memorial. All too often, local jurisdictions are regulating this practice. Some are limiting the time a memorial can be displayed, others are banning them. Some jurisdictions have regulations regarding the placement of memorials but local enforcement is not done, often by choice to help the grieving family. This same website has a database of information on many of the states, cities, and countries regarding their current and past position, and if available, current legislation regarding the placement of roadside memorials. Please let your future readers know about this alternative. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Kindest regards, Robert Sergent President/CEO National Memorial Registry, Inc. 330 Rayford Road, #162 Spring, Texas 77386 Phone: 888-292-4021 Fax: 281-754-4501 email: rsergent@nationalmemorialregistry.com website: www.NationalMemorialRegistry.com

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