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The Impact of Bandit Signs on Lake Como's Progress

Updated: Nov 22, 2024

When you see a "We Buy Houses for Cash" sign on a telephone pole or a roadside advertisement for payday loans, it may seem harmless or merely annoying. However, for neighborhoods like Lake Como, these bandit signs represent far more than just visual clutter—they are symptomatic of deeper, systemic issues that hinder progress and perpetuate inequities in historically under- resourced communities.


At Keep Lake Como Beautiful (KLCB), we recognize that these signs reflect and exacerbate challenges such as disinvestment, displacement, and systemic racism.


By addressing this issue, we aim to further our mission of building a stronger, safer, and more connected community.




Why Bandit Signs Hurt Communities Like Lake Como


1. Neighborhood Disinvestment

The unregulated presence of bandit signs signals neglect. Often advertising predatory services, these signs paint a picture of a community undervalued by legitimate investors. This discourages sustainable development and contributes to cycles of resource deprivation.


2. Displacement of Residents and Neighborhood Culture

Bandit signs promoting quick home sales disproportionately target financially vulnerable, long-term residents. These offers often lead to below-market transactions, accelerating displacement and eroding the cultural heritage and identity of the neighborhood.


3. Lack of Market Control

Predatory tactics advertised on bandit signs strip residents of market knowledge and control. By encouraging rushed sales, these signs contribute to housing commodification and a loss of affordability, further straining community stability.


4. Poor Design and Land Use

The aesthetic and environmental damage caused by bandit signs undermines efforts to beautify neighborhoods. Visual clutter and improperly disposed signage perpetuate perceptions of neglect, devaluing community spaces.


5. Cycle of Poverty

Many bandit signs promise quick fixes for financial distress, such as payday loans or credit repair schemes. Instead of offering sustainable solutions, they trap residents in a deeper cycle of poverty, exploiting their vulnerabilities.


6. Individual Prejudice and Bigotry

The targeting of Lake Como by bandit signs reflects implicit biases about its residents. These signs perpetuate stereotypes, fostering a sense of inferiority among long-term community members.


7. Institutionalized Racism

Under- resourced neighborhoods like Lake Como face systemic inequities in the enforcement of city codes. While wealthier neighborhoods enjoy stricter regulation of public spaces, bandit signs proliferate in communities where residents already contend with systemic disadvantages.


8. Demographic Instability

By promoting rapid property sales, bandit signs contribute to the destabilization of neighborhood demographics. This rapid turnover undermines community cohesion and long-term connections among residents.



What KLCB Is Doing to Address the Problem


To combat the harmful effects of bandit signs and ensure that businesses engage responsibly with the community, KLCB is implementing several strategies:


Advocacy for Regulation

  • KLCB collaborates with local code enforcement agencies to advocate for stricter penalties on illegal signage. This includes ensuring that enforcement efforts are equitable and extend to all neighborhoods, regardless of socioeconomic status, to eliminate systemic inequities in public space maintenance.


Resident Education

  • Through public awareness campaigns, KLCB educates residents about the risks and predatory tactics associated with services advertised on bandit signs. By empowering residents with information, we aim to reduce the effectiveness of these exploitative practices. Read the Ordinance.


Community Beautification

  • Block Buddies, dedicated community volunteers, regularly remove unauthorized signs and replace them with initiatives that highlight the vibrancy of Lake Como. These efforts restore pride in public spaces while challenging the visual clutter and negative perceptions created by bandit signs.


Engagement with Local Businesses

  • KLCB encourages businesses to reflect on their impact within the community. We invite them to contribute positively by sponsoring public safety events, supporting beautification efforts, or collaborating with KLCB on ethical initiatives that align with community values. For instance, we reached out to Eskimo Hut Frozen Daiquiris To-Go to address their signage practices, urging them to prioritize integrity and respect for Lake Como’s development over short-term promotions.


Challenging Implicit Bias and Inequity

  • By addressing the targeted placement of bandit signs in Lake Como, KLCB sheds light on how implicit biases and systemic inequalities affect underserved neighborhoods. This includes confronting disparities in the enforcement of city codes and encouraging equitable treatment for all communities.


These actions are designed to transform Lake Como into a neighborhood where businesses, residents, and organizations work collaboratively to create a safer, cleaner, and more connected community. Through sustained efforts, KLCB continues to challenge practices that undermine progress while fostering opportunities for meaningful and ethical partnerships.



Join Us in Creating a Cleaner, Safer, More Connected Lake Como!


  • JOIN On My Block (OMB). SIGN UP to become a Block Buddy. 

  • ATTEND an event

  • FOLLOW US on social media to spread SHARE this post to spread awareness.

  • SUBSCRIBE to Lake Como Connections for updates on community transformation and events. 


Contact Keep Lake Como Beautiful (KLCB)





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