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In a Wednesday, May 2, 2012 photo, a sign lays on its side, along with some liter and discarded bottles in Hollywood, Fla. Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober is using a software program that makes robocalls to the businesses, sometimes about 20 a day, to dis J Pat Carter, Associated Press
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In a Wednesday, May 2, 2012 photo, a house for sale sign stands beside a Hollywood, Fla. street as cars drive past. The cheap signs smashed into lawns and along the corners of busy intersections have vexed Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober for the past few year J Pat Carter, Associated Press
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In a Wednesday, May 2, 2012 photo, a sign offering help in foreclosure cases stands by a street in Pembroke Pines, Fla. The eyesores have vexed Hollywood, Fla., Mayor Peter Bober uses a program that makes robocalls to the businesses, sometimes about 20 J Pat Carter, Associated Press
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In a Wednesday, May 2, 2012 photo, Hollywood, Fla. mayor Peter Bober poses for photos outside the city hall. Bober has started using robocalls to businesses that use signs smashed into lawns and along the corners of busy intersections. The idea has bee J Pat Carter, Associated Press
By Associated Press

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — A Florida mayor has come up with a novel idea to combat the nuisance signs littering busy intersections.

Hollywood officials recently bought a $300 software program that makes robocalls to the businesses that planted the signs, sometimes about 20 calls a day to around 90 businesses.

Mayor Peter Bober came up with the idea a few months ago after realizing phone numbers were plastered on the signs.

The robocalls have been so successful the city has seen a 90 percent reduction in some areas. Even cities in Canada are calling about the program.

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If companies want their numbers removed from the list, they have to come to city hall, acknowledge the signs have been picked up and pay a fine. The city has issued about seven citations so far.

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