Jokester switches crossroads stop signs

COLLINS, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Erie County Sheriff's Office says someone is playing a practical joke in the Collins/North Collins area, but it isn't funny.

Last month, highway workers found someone had switched the road signs at the intersection of Genesee and New Oregon Roads. Workers put the signs back in the proper place.

Thursday morning, workers found someone had taken the stop signs at the intersection of Jennings and Shirley Road and switched them. Normally motorists stop on Shirley Road but the prankster switched it so motorists would have to stop on Jennings Road.

Could someone actually be arrested or charged for a prank like this?

"I believe the charge might be reckless endangerment. You're creating a situation that puts someone else at risk for injury or harm, or in some cases death," said Capt. Ron Kenyon of the Erie County Sheriff's Office.

"The problem is, when you start fooling with stop signs... [For instance] you've got a person who's driving along, who may well be familiar with the area, to the point where they're just going to drive through that intersection without even realizing the sign's been changed.  You've got someone coming the other way, who may not be familiar with it, and they're not going to stop. Everything's been reversed," explained Capt. Kenyon.

Deputies say this is an incredibly dangerous situation and are reaching out to the public for help. If you have see any suspicious vehicles or people near either of those intersections, contact the Erie County Sheriff's Office at 858-2903.