City of DeKalb replaces Knolls subdivision sign after weekend vandalism

DeKALB – Residents within DeKalb’s The Knolls subdivision will not have to pay to replace the neighborhood’s sign after it was recently defaced, according to City officials.

DeKalb resident Trenton Sopko, who said he lives in the neighborhood and about 200 feet from the sign, said Tuesday he noticed the vandalism Saturday morning and later posted about it on community social media groups.

“I had reported it to the city [Monday morning] and [the City] actually had public works come out yesterday and take the sign down to restore it,” Sopko said Tuesday.

Sopko later took the social media post down after the City addressed the issue.

“I just moved there a month ago almost to the date of that happening,” Sopko said. “ ... But it’s unfortunate because it’s a nice quiet area, and I’d like it to stay that way.”

DeKalb City Manager Bill Nicklas confirmed during the Monday City Council meeting one of the entry signs for The Knolls was defaced. Nicklas said Sixth Ward Alderman Mike Verbic pointed it out to city staff earlier that day.

“The sign was removed – we’re cleaning it up,” Nicklas said. “It’s a little weathered anyway, so we’re going to replace it at no cost to the residents of Knolls. And then we’ll have a spare, just in case.”

On the flip side, Nicklas said it also has been good to hear about community members picking up trash in the same area.

“We have a lot of people who are out there trying to make this a cleaner, more beautiful city.”