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Posted on Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 5:35 p.m.

Halloween prank? Sign warns of velociraptors in Ann Arbor

By Cindy Heflin

velociraptors_sign.jpg

This sign carried this warning for Ann Arbor residents all day Monday.

Bob Needham | AnnArbor.com

Trick-or-treaters wandering about the neighborhoods near Ann Arbor Open School might want to be extra cautious this evening.

An electronic road sign on Miller Avenue near Spring Street in Ann Arbor bears an ominous message today: “Velociraptors afoot.”

The warning about the carnivorous dinosaurs featured with scary prominence in the movie "Jurassic Park" caught the attention of Michigan Radio’s Mark Brush, who created a blog post about it today.

Kirk Pennington, field operations supervisor for the City of Ann Arbor, said the sign was likely used for some recent roadwork on the street. He said it might belong to a contractor. But he said the signs are easy to hack if whoever owns them hasn't changed the default password. A keyboard on a box attached to the sign can be used to change the message, or it could be hacked remotely, he said.

Comments

blugoose

Wed, Nov 2, 2011 : 12:30 a.m.

Someone please post the default password. LOL

ContreMilice

Tue, Nov 1, 2011 : 8:48 p.m.

And I finally saw (and heard) the Violin Monster under the West Hall arch: <a href="http://violinmonster.com/" rel='nofollow'>http://violinmonster.com/</a> And, for those who don't know--don't read this if you don't want to know the V Monster's secret ID (spoiler contained in link story): (Tiny URL used because the actual AAcorn [i.e, A2 dot com) contains the ID of the VM in its title and the URL itself): <a href="http://tinyurl.com/3zsdv5t" rel='nofollow'>http://tinyurl.com/3zsdv5t</a> [I also noticed the velociraptor warning while heading west on Miller yesterday; I was so--oooo---oooo shaken up by it!!!! ;-) ]

Lionel Hutz

Tue, Nov 1, 2011 : 1:27 p.m.

There was also a manbearpig sighting over by liberty plaza.

jns131

Tue, Nov 1, 2011 : 2:45 p.m.

They were meeting up for lunch together near Bongs and Thongs. Needed new ideas for Halloween.

Nerak

Tue, Nov 1, 2011 : 12:50 p.m.

It's so refreshing to have positive comments instead of the often mean-spirited and snarky ones readers often feel compelled to write. Thanks!

KINGofSKA

Tue, Nov 1, 2011 : 2:51 a.m.

I passed this earlier this morning, I didn't register until now what it said. Nice.

Ricebrnr

Tue, Nov 1, 2011 : 1:36 a.m.

Bwahahahahaahahahaha! If raptors were loose in AA, I'd load up the snotty with slugs and sit the roof...then I'd watch all the sheeple in AA get eaten.

say it plain

Tue, Nov 1, 2011 : 2:32 a.m.

you really are ready for anything then, good on ya ;-)

kittybkahn

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 11:45 p.m.

Scooped by the Chronicle, which reported this on Oct. 29th. <a href="http://annarborchronicle.com/2011/10/29/miller-spring-9/" rel='nofollow'>http://annarborchronicle.com/2011/10/29/miller-spring-9/</a>

Wooper

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 11:44 p.m.

It was there Saturday after the football game. We passed it on the way home.

GreektownDave

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 11:43 p.m.

Do motorists have to yield when a velociraptor is approaching a cross-walk?

jns131

Tue, Nov 1, 2011 : 2:44 p.m.

Only if you do not want them come stomping down on you. Otherwise, the police will look the other way.

Ann Arbor With Kids

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 11:41 p.m.

I only caught a glimpse as I drove by today &amp; didn't take in the whole sign. But it should be warning of skunks afoot. We saw one in the same area last week.

arborani

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 10:39 p.m.

I had 3 or 4 come to the door Trick or Treating; never said &quot;thank you&quot; but I didn't press the point.

arborani

Tue, Nov 1, 2011 : 2:58 p.m.

jns131, all the CHILDREN did say &quot;thank you&quot; nicely. These were RAPTORS. Next you'll be saying you don't believe in frog DNA.

jns131

Tue, Nov 1, 2011 : 2:43 p.m.

Thanks for the heads up on that one. I didn't either. Guess it comes with the new age of children.

say it plain

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 10:24 p.m.

I saw that while out and about yesterday, and it made me laugh out loud... Brightened a cruddy day... Thank You Whoever Hacked it, You Rock :-)

Andrew Jason Clock

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 10:22 p.m.

Sorry, folks, Mark Maynard had you scooped by 24 hours... <a href="http://markmaynard.com/?p=16118" rel='nofollow'>http://markmaynard.com/?p=16118</a>

Homeland Conspiracy

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 10:21 p.m.

Way cool. And thanx for letting us know how EZ it is to do!!!!

Carolyn

Tue, Nov 1, 2011 : 8:45 p.m.

LOL and then roll my eyes.

Dave

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 10:03 p.m.

Sounds like the person who did it is a fan of XKCD.

Dog Guy

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 9:44 p.m.

Once again the folks in city hall have left us to fend for ourselves. What happened to the velociraptor millage? Do velociraptors eat fallen leaves or aggressive panhandlers?

jns131

Tue, Nov 1, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.

Both if caught sleeping in it.