Hartford City Cites Trantolo & Trantolo for Unauthorized Sidewalk Ads

• Trantolo & Trantolo was cited for over a dozen unauthorized sidewalk advertisements in Hartford, Connecticut.
• The firm claimed the ads were part of a temporary campaign to highlight road safety statistics.
• Hartford Mayor Arulanapalam threatened to file a complaint with the state grievance committee over the incident.
• Trantolo & Trantolo has offices in Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts.

The stencils were created using either power washing or temporary chalk—not spray paint—and were always intended to be temporary.

A personal injury law firm in Hartford, Connecticut, has been cited for placing over a dozen unauthorized sidewalk advertisements. The ads were stenciled on sidewalks without written consent from the city, violating a local ordinance. Trantolo & Trantolo, the firm behind the ads, claimed that they were part of a temporary campaign to highlight road safety statistics in Hartford and West Hartford. However, the city has discovered at least 15 messages from the firm, and Mayor Arunan Arulampalam has threatened to file a complaint with the state grievance committee over the incident.

The unauthorized ads included one message that read, "Look both ways before you cross." The West Hartford Department of Public Works also found similar messages around 24 of its crosswalks. Trantolo & Trantolo claimed that they used power washing or temporary chalk to create the stencils and intended for them to be temporary.

The firm has offices in Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts.

Hartford's city ordinance prohibits unauthorized sidewalk advertisements without written consent from the city. Trantolo & Trantolo's actions have raised questions about compliance with local regulations. The firm's statement to NBC Connecticut claimed that they were working with an outdoor advertising company to execute similar campaigns in cities across the country.

However, the fact remains that Trantolo & Trantolo failed to obtain written consent from the city before placing the ads. This incident highlights potential risks and consequences for non-compliance with local ordinances. Lawyers advising clients on compliance may want to review this case as a cautionary example.

The unauthorized sidewalk advertisements by Trantolo & Trantolo have significant implications for the firm's reputation and potential consequences under local regulations. The incident raises questions about the firm's commitment to complying with city ordinances.

Moreover, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of obtaining written consent from cities before placing any form of advertising on public property. Failure to do so can result in fines, penalties, or even complaints filed with state grievance committees.

Lawyers advising clients on compliance with local ordinances may want to review the incident involving Trantolo & Trantolo's unauthorized sidewalk ads in Hartford, as it highlights potential risks and consequences for non-compliance.

Source: Original reporting via NBC Connecticut