They shuffled in like students in trouble going to the principal’s office. Some were nervous. Many claimed they didn’t know the rules.

All escaped with fines far less than possible.

They’re garage sale violators. And the city of Logansport is cracking down on them for not obtaining a $5 permit and misplacement of advertising signs.

Building commissioner Gary Hostetler asked 12 people to appear at Wednesday’s Board of Works & Public Safety meeting. Many brought with them friends and family.

The sight of so many people in the audience amazed Mayor Mike Fincher, who normally conducts city business at that particular public meeting to a chamber full of empty seats.

The size of the crowd, though, didn’t slow the mayor from giving each violator a stern warning.

“There is a permit required. They are $5. The fine for having a garage sale without a permit is $10. There is a fine also for signs.”

When Fincher announced the fine amount of $100 per sign up to $300, all remained quiet a few seconds while he let it sink in before adding, “That’s pretty steep. This is the last time they’ll ever be waived.”

Violators like Ken Echols expressed their appreciation for not getting the heftier fine.

“I appreciate it,” Echols told the mayor. “I know it for the future.”

Nearly everyone who appeared before the three-member board claimed they didn’t know a permit was required. Those with a permit but still placing signs in the easement or right-of-way also claimed they didn’t know the rules.

Board member and deputy mayor Linda Klinck, pointed out the rules for sign placement are spelled out on the garage sale permits. She said they even highlight that portion of the permit as a way to stress the importance of sign placement.

The garage sale permit requirement has been a city ordinance for about 30 years.

“So, it’s nothing new,” Fincher said.

Fincher and Klinck explained the reasons for the regulations.

Although bucket trucks are primarily used now, utility workers once climbed utility poles to work on them. A pole full of nails from garage sale signs created a safety hazard for anyone unfortunate enough to lose their grip and slide down the poll.

“They don’t do that anymore but the ordinance is still in effect,” Fincher said.

Also, a garage sale sign placed on a stop sign could result in a lawsuit if an accident occurred at that intersection. The argument could be made, the mayor said, that the sign impeded a motorist’s visibility.

Many of the signs become an eyesore for the community, Klinck said, because people do not remove them once the sale is over.

That has been a growing problem in Logansport for six years, Hostetler said. He, along with the street department and code enforcement officer, would spend Mondays removing outdated signs.

City officials are taking a different approach this summer. Hostetler and the code enforcement officer now go out on Saturdays seeking violations. Photos are taken, the signs are removed and letters are sent out asking the violators to appear before the board of works.

“We said enough is enough,” Hostetler explained.

To eliminate the “I didn’t know” excuses, Echols suggested working in conjunction with the newspaper to notify people buying garage sale ads that they also need to obtain a permit from the city.

Hostetler agreed to create fliers that will be available at the front desk of the Pharos-Tribune.

Fincher asked many of the violators to spread the message by telling their friends and neighbors.

“I sure will,” Echols said.

People may already be getting the message. Hostetler is seeing a difference along the main drags of Broadway, Market and High streets. Also, the city has issued 576 garage sale permits to date.

Violators agreed to pay their $10 fines in the building commissioner’s office.

Fincher joked, “If you don’t come in tomorrow or by the end of the week, we will send the garage sale police after you.”

• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com.