County weighs requiring contractors to display company identification after residents report masked logos

Residents told the LaPorte County Board of Commissioners on March 18 that contractors conducting surveys and other field work have been masking logos and DOT numbers on vehicles and sometimes working without visible permits. “They were told, ‘Don't worry about it. We are here to do work. We don't have to tell you anything,’” a resident said during public comment.

Commissioners responded that the reports are serious and directed county counsel to research the legal framework and enforcement options. County attorney D. Martino said he would look into whether a local ordinance requiring identification and marked vehicles is permissible and would coordinate with the building department and sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office noted its enforcement tools are limited if license plates are visible but vehicle markings are obscured, and that federal motor-carrier rules can be implicated when DOT numbers are covered.

Why it matters: Residents said unmarked crews create safety and transparency concerns, including instances of crews allegedly boring holes in county roads without permits. Commissioners indicated they are considering a local requirement for visible company ID badges or vehicle markings and possible fines, but acknowledged enforcement might require coordination with state or federal authorities.

What happened next: Commissioners made a motion to direct staff to draft language and research enforcement options; the county attorney and building department will follow up. No ordinance was enacted at the meeting.

Representative quotes: “There would be some sort of fine mechanism for that,” a commissioner said during discussion. County counsel said: “I will research it and I will probably need to get together with the building department.”