The City of Ottawa is trying to make sure no one takes the High Road anymore — the street sign, that is.

The street name in Gloucester is one of several across Ottawa that now tower up to six metres above the ground instead of the usual 2½, and are secured with tamper-proof bolts in an effort to deter thieves.

Mary Jane Cres., High St. and Trojan Ave. are a few of the Ottawa street names that have often gone missing.
(CBC)

"We actually went to the extent of greasing the pole a little bit just to ensure that somebody trying to shimmy up to it couldn't get to it," said Kevin Wylie, who is in charge of all City of Ottawa street signs.

He was pointing out the security measures protecting the sign at the intersection of Richmond Road and High Street, another problem name, having vanished four times during the last two or three years, he said.

When street signs go missing, it's a nuisance for city crews and people living in the neighbourhood, he added.

Their absence is a hassle for delivery people and could delay emergency vehicles, which is more of a problem than the cost of replacing them, said Wylie, who added the signs are worth about $70 each.

He said some of the others that have frequently disappeared include:

• Elvis Lives Lane.
• Corona Avenue.
• Trojan Avenue.
• Stephanie Avenue.
• Lisa Avenue.

"Mary Jane Cres." has also been taken higher by the city. 

Orléans resident Marc-André Naud said he nevertheless witnessed three young thieves teetering for it in the dark of night fairly recently.

"Two of them were piling on top of each other trying to get it … standing on each other's shoulders," he said.

He didn't wait to see if they were successful, but this week, the sign was still there.

Wylie said the city's efforts to secure the street names is working.

This week there were signs that someone had tested their sticky fingers on at least one of the greasy poles, but "High Street" hasn't taken off for two years now.