Street sign theft occurs when street signs are stolen, often to be use as decorations, but also sometimes to avoid obeying the law by claiming later the sign was not there. Although the theft often seems arbitrary, unusual or amusing signs tend to be stolen more frequently. Sometimes considered to be a prank by the perpetrators, the theft is often costly and inconveniencing for the municipality or agency who owns the sign. In the United States, each street sign generally costs between $100 and $500 to replace.