Put signs up where you can keep video of them. Record video of them being stolen or vandalized. Share the video. Video of the other side acting badly is even more valuable than the signs.
Put some out close together...Hide and watch...When they come, shoot the bast*rds...
Oh yeah...I mean’t shoot them with a camera...My bad...hehehe...
Let’s say you are really rich.
Then, what you do is, you put a sign well into your property. Post a “no trespassing” sign for good luck. Put up cameras.
Now, attach something to the sign that is worth more than the “felony” level for theft in your state.
Take a picture of this, so you can prove that it was part of the sign.
Now, as soon as the person walks off the property with your sign, they have committed a felony robbery charge. Take your videos, and pictures, go to the police, and tell them some guy stole a 1000 camera off your property, or a 500 scanner, or whatever it is that you attached to your sign.
I like the ones where they electrify them
Poison oak or poison ivy. You might not stop the theft but the thought of an itchy thief might make you smile a little.
Dye Pack explosives? Such as what’s done when a bank robber steals money, then he gets coated with bright blue and pink paint.
.223 works....................
About an hour after the sign goes missing listen for screaming.
You'll have your thief.
But if it is a widescale problem, people with surveillance cams catch these people in the act and report to police and local news. Either that or set to the deathray to really wide beam dispersal.
Smear some type of poison ivy gel on spot where people will usually pull on them - or - post a note above them saying that this was done. Play with their minds.
Pepper spray on the type sign you press into ground. Spray along the plastic edge. If it rains? Re-apply. I use FOX Lab spray. As do many PDs. Hot as hell.
A long ongoing problem. There have been numerous posts over the years that have shown interesting ways to make it difficult to take a sign.
Liberally coat the back of them with thick automotive / marine grease. I’ve worked with some black stuff that was weatherproof and very difficult to get off of your hands and clothing.
Here’s something not to do: Don’t set up a booby-trap device meant to injure the thief. Yes, they deserve to be injured. But civil suits are costly, even if you win.
You might also want to coat the back of the signs with Permatex Anti-Seize compound. It’s shiny silver grease that gets EVERYWHERE. I think it’s pretty weatherproof too.