Racial slur wasn't only reprogrammed message on road construction signs; there were zombies, too
A road construction sign that was reprogrammed Friday with a racial slur was not the only sign altered, Steve Puuri, managing director of the Washtenaw County Road Commission, said this morning.
A sign at the western end of a Road Commission project on Holmes Road in Ypsilanti Township was also reprogrammed, but instead of carrying a racial slur, this one read, "Zombie invasion ahead," Puuri said.
Early Friday morning, someone noticed the electronic sign near Holmes and Ridge Road in Ypsilanti Township had been reprogrammed to alter its message about upcoming road construction to contain a message with a racial slur. The first report came in at 1:36 a.m., Puuri said, and was followed by another within five minutes.
The sign contractor turned the sign off, Puuri said, and it was off when the project's general contractor arrived at 6:30 a.m. A road commission inspector also said the sign was off when he arrived between 7:30 and 8 a.m, but he noticed a sign on the western end of the project near Spencer Lane had been reprogrammed with the zombie invasion message.
But shortly before noon, the sign with the racially offensive message was back on. A Road Commission employee who happened to be driving through the area noticed it, Puuri said. The employee turned off the sign and moved it so that it was not visible from the road. The contractor then removed both signs from the roadway, Puuri said.
"We have no intention of bringing those signs back out onto the job until we can be assured that the security of the message can be provided to us by the contractor," Puuri said this morning.
Puuri said the signs are the property of the sign contractor, which was hired by the general contractor. The steel boxes that contain the sign controls were not locked, but Puuri said it's not clear if the signs were altered onsite or remotely.
Meanwhile, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office continues its investigation into the incident. Spokesman Derrick Jackson said there was no new information this morning.
Workers are just starting the project to rebuild Holmes Road between Spencer and Ridge roads, Puuri said. The project has other signs to inform motorists about the work, and the removal of the electronic signs is not important to motorist safety, he said.
View Vandalized signs in a larger map
Comments
rulieg
Tue, Apr 12, 2011 : 2:39 a.m.
so what was the racial slur? I mean, you can xxx out the naughty bits, I'm just curious.
microtini
Tue, Apr 12, 2011 : 1:25 a.m.
The glib headline of this story mocks the serious nature of the reported offense: racist slurs aren't funny.
Ricebrnr
Tue, Apr 12, 2011 : 4:36 p.m.
I may not be funny but if you write it down and OWN it, then it won't bother you either!
Jack Gladney
Tue, Apr 12, 2011 : 12:22 a.m.
It is pretty well known that one can go on the Internet to learn how to reprogram traffic signs. I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.
treetowncartel
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 9:51 p.m.
Actually, Zombie Zones are quite real, wasn't there one in Downtown Ann Arbor last summer, during the freak of nature/make your parents embarassed to admit you are their kid games?
RudeJude
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 9:40 p.m.
They pulled this prank in here in austin a few years ago, no racial slurs although the sign did claim they were nazi zombies. Funny joke but no need to get racist.
braggslaw
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 9:17 p.m.
remember the"double tap'
Ricebrnr
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 11:41 p.m.
You are so right! After I ran out of ammo I'd probably die of a heart attack after the 5th or 6th decapitation... I give you all permission to put me down then. No hard feelings. Brrrrraaaiiiinnss....
Urban Sombrero
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 11:11 p.m.
And, cardio! And, above all......don't forget the little things.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 9:33 p.m.
I agree but as usual as in real estate it's about location, location, location. Without the correct placement in the T-zone you're just wasting rounds on the zombie. Remember the T-zone!
djacks24
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 7:44 p.m.
""Zombie invasion" could be considered a racial slur, couldn't it?" Yes, they like "walking dead" as it seems to be more politically correct.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 9:38 p.m.
I thought the PC term was breathing challenged?
Moscow On The Huron
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 5:08 p.m.
I am offended by the jokes about zombies. Remember, zombies are people, too. OK, zombies WERE people, too.
Moscow On The Huron
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 6:28 p.m.
What? Yet another protected class?
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 6:06 p.m.
The portrayal of persons of undead status (please do not use the z-word, it is considered highly offensive) in popular culture is a breeding ground for perpetuating stereotypes about these people. In real life they are quite loving and kind, and rarely walk with a limp. And they would never eat our brains in the manner depicted in these offensive movies - this is a religious ceremony where the brain is consumed in a very respectful and touching manner.
Moscow On The Huron
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 5:25 p.m.
... and a pro tip for Steve Puuri: Get your crews to change those default passwords.
grye
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 5 p.m.
Although the racial slur crossed the line, the innovativeness of individuals will never cease to amaze me. To access the sign guts and change the message for a little jockularity is actually quite fun. Please no more demeaning messages, just good old fashioned humor.
Redleg
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 4:36 p.m.
I work with more than my share of open-mouth breather types-- But as they exhibit seemingly normal body temps, I'm not overly worried as of yet-- But I do keep my Louisville Slugger handy though...
Ricebrnr
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 9:37 p.m.
y'all need to consider a machete. A LOT less messy and a lot less muscle needed to disable a zombie. Remember there may be dozens, even hundred or more of them. You need to be as efficient as possible if you want to last.
Bertha Venation
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 6:24 p.m.
Atta boy! Your "Louisville Slugger" sounds very similar to my "Board of Education." ;)
xmo
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 4:33 p.m.
"Zombie invasion" could be considered a racial slur, couldn't it?
Bertha Venation
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 8:27 p.m.
I think it's better than a Zumba Invation, though.
Bertha Venation
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 4:15 p.m.
The first sign would obviously bother me. However, judging how people are driving obliviously and talking on their cell phones simultaneously... I'd say there IS a Zombie Invasion.
Midtowner
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 3:51 p.m.
Is there a zombie invasion or not? This information may be critical to the survival of residents in that area. Don't leave us hanging like that.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 5:14 p.m.
No, if there really was a zombie invasion all the sheeple would be begging to come to my place.. Look deep, you know its true.
Cindy Heflin
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.
The headline on this article was changed to more accurately reflect the content of the story.
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 3:30 p.m.
Ummmm, until you know who programmed the first sign AND the second sign, how do you know the same person did it? DNA? Fingerprints? Photographs? .....or just a good hunch?
Roadman
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 6:09 p.m.
Maybe someone with the sign contractor? Who knows at this point? Find out who had the password.
Roadman
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 6:05 p.m.
Who had access to the passwords?
Tag
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.
The headline of the article should be rewritten it implies that a single person "Vandal" is responsible for both signs being reprogrammed. The story contains no factual information to back that up.
Roadman
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 6:05 p.m.
It may have been an inside job by the Road Commission staff - can they be ruled out? Just speculation - I hope that is not the case. I am proud of the Road Commission and its dedicated staff.