Someone with marker, glue and a bit of time on his hands papered dozens of utility poles in the city with signs alleging a Butler Township woman to be a "drug dealer and thief."

"We are looking into this," city Police Chief Tim Fennell said Wednesday as other officers already were removing the signs.

The woman, who did not want to be identified, said this morning the signs were posted by a man who was frustrated a truck deal between the two did not occur.

City police first noted the signs, glued along Mercer and Brady streets, Wednesday morning. The nature of the signs was accusatory, but Fennell said officers still would have investigated if they had said, "lost puppy" or "garage sale."

According to city zoning ordinance chapter 223, article 1 and 2 of 1987, titled "Signs":

"No person shall tack, paste or post any advertisement of other matter to or upon any telegraph, telephone, electric light, trolley or other poles ..."

Sign posting is punishable by a fine of up to $300, plus the cost of prosecution and, in default of payment, imprisonment of up to 90 days. Posting signs on private property is legal.

Fennell said this is the first case of mass sign posting he is aware of in which someone alleged another person to be a criminal. Fennell said it is not uncommon to see flyers posted in the city searching for lost pets, announcing band concerts and sales.

Fennell said, generally, if the flyers include a telephone number or address, police will contact that person with a warning first. If the person removes the signs and stops posting more signs, he is not fined.

Fennell said there is a good reason for the ordinance: "It's blight."