A group of local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts had planned to begin a reflective 911 address sign program in September, but a Scout leader’s experience jump-started the project a little.

People can order the house markers from Boy Scout Troop 120 and Cub Scout Pack 120. Signs with numbers on one side only are $15. Numbers on both sides cost $18. The signs use proper marking according to the South Carolina Code of Laws.

Old Timey Car Wash owner Mickey Gist is a sponor of the two Scout groups with American Legion Post 22. He said adult leaders realized they needed to go ahead and offer the signs for sale after a Scout leader received a notice from the Union County Addressing Office that his house number was not posted.

“We came up earlier with the idea and gave it a test round,” Gist said. “Then he got a notice on his door.”

The penalty, if convicted of violating any provision of the Union County Addressing Ordinance is a fine of up to $200 and up to 30 days in jail.

The notice, “Get Your Address On” 2009 explains that precious time can be lost in an emergency if a person does not have his or her house number properly posted.

Other problems with house numbers for which a person might be cited include that the numbers are too small to be seen from the street, that they are hidden by plant growth, that they are not visible from both directions of travel, that they are not placed near the main entrance or drive to your house, that they are not in a contrasting color to your house or that they have mission or torn numbers.

According to state law, the owner, occupant or agent of each house, building or other structure must place a number on his or her house. Residential numbers must not be less than three inches in height. Business numbers must not be less than four inches in height. All numbers must be made of a durable, clearly visible material and must contrast with the color of the house.

Numbers must be conspicuously placed immediately above, on, or at the side of the appropriate door so that the number is visible clearly from the street. In cases where the building is situated more than 50 feet from the street or road, the building number also must be placed near the walk, driveway or common entrance to the building, or upon the mailbox, gatepost, fence, or other appropriate place so as to clearly be visible from the street or road.

The Reflective Address Sign Program serves the Scouts in two ways — it is a community oriented “good turn” in the tradition of Scouting and Scouts will be helping their friends and neighbors have a timely response in an emergency. Further, as a fund-raiser, Scouts will be able to enhance their program by doing more activities, they will be able to get more uniforms and equipment and the youth of Union County will be further served.

Scoutmaster Scot McClellan said those involved with the signs hope to have the majority of the orders in by Aug. 31, but the project will be ongoing. He said having your home or business properly marked will come in handy if an emergency ever arises.

“If they can’t find you they can’t do anything for you,” he said. “This helps the police, it helps the 911 folks.”

Cub Scout Pack 120 is open for boys in grades 1 through 5. Boy Scout Troop 120 is open for boys who have completed the fifth grade and have not reached 18.

Adult volunteers, both women and men, are needed for the groups.

Both units meet on Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. at the American Legion Post 22 Hut on Scenic Drive by Foster Park. Meetings are closed for the summer but will resume on Aug. 18 with a cookout.

———

Anyone wanting more information on Scouting or the Reflective Address Program may call Mickey Gist at 427-4241 or Scoutmaster Scot McClellan at 427-1690.