The cities of Dayton, Ohio, and Peoria, Ill., are using a weapon against vacant, dilapidated properties that should be part of the arsenal of all communities afflicted with such structures, including Butler.

The two cities in question have joined a small number of communities nationwide that put pressure on the owners of such properties by posting large signs on rundown, vacant houses, identifying the owners and how to get in touch with them.

In the case of Dayton, Bill Nelson, director of that city's building services department, said, "We're basically calling it shaming. Even if it has only marginal success, the impact will help some of our neighborhoods."

In Peoria, John Kunski, the city's inspections director, said, "We seem to be getting some results. I don't think it's a cure-all, but I think it's a tool we can use."

In both cities, officials hope neighbors and concerned citizens who see the signs will pressure owners to fix up the homes. The large, wooden signs are bolted onto the front of the houses and are positioned in a way to make them conspicuous to all who pass by, as well as to people who reside nearby.

In Lynchburg, Va., which used the idea for a couple of years in the mid-1990s, the mere threat of putting up a sign prompted action in half the cases.

Butler doesn't have Dayton's problem - 2,700 vacant structures. But this city does have vacant, dilapidated properties that need to be addressed without delay.

If it takes shaming to expedite the fix-ups, so be it.