Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Sign thefts spike
Area residents report political signs have been stolen from yards
UWCHLAN » During this election year, political signs are disappearing from front lawns, businesses and public right of ways.
Those suggestions to vote for either Biden or Trump are sometimes removed, filched or snagged.
Uwchlan Township’s Scott Bersak has seen several signs stolen from his front yard.
“It feels like politics is polarizing and impacting neighborhood values that used to be so prevalent in Chester County,” Bersak said. “My big hope is that civility and kindness prevail and we all realize we’re Americans, regardless of who is in power.”
Bersak said his neighbors have joined together and helped to replace his signs.
Bersak and others have considered posting signs that read, “If you steal a sign, wewill replace it andmake a donation to that candidate.” He has also considered purchasing and pointing a trail camera at the signs.
No doubt about it, stealing campaign signs is a crime that can even lead to jail time.
Thieves can be charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking, Receiving Stolen Property, Criminal Mischief, or under the election code, criminals can be cited for destroying, defacing or removing notices.
A maximum of 90 days in jail and/or a $300 fine for those convicted of summary offences, and amisdemeanor of the third degree can lead to a maximum of one year behind bars and up to a $2,500 fine. Minimum fines of as little as $10 to $25 and/or probation are also options.
Last year, former Kennett Supervisor Michael E. Elling, 87, was charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking after political signs went missing. Police said they identified Elling and his vehicle with the use of cameras.
Officer Braden Walsh, of the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department, said that he hears that sign thefts spike every four years, running up to the presidential election.
Lt. Joshua Lee, of the West Chester Borough Police Department, said that no sign thefts have been reported to police in the borough during the last month.
“It’s not anything that’s been crazy,” he said.
Lee also said that police take all crime seriously.
“We hate to see crimes reported,” he said. “We hate to see thefts of anything.”
Dick Bingham is chairman of the Chester County Democratic Committee and talked about illegally removing signs. The Chester County Democrats have distributed about 6,000 Biden signs.
“It’s just stupid, it’s childish, stop it!” he said about the thefts. “Some people disregard and trample people’s rights to express their own politics.”
Gordon R. Eck, D.O., and chairman of the Republican Committee of Chester County strongly opposes the thefts.
“Stealing campaign signs is a sophomoric behavior that has unfortunately existed since the inventions of cardboard and plastic,” Eck said. “Beyond that, it is illegal.
“This is just another form of cancel culture where rather than engaging with people of differing views, the goal is to silence their voice. Citizens are waking up to this form of intolerance and responding in demonstrable ways. We have organized ‘Sign Drops’ where our candidates receive permission along safe road locations to hand out signs.
“We’re seeing an overwhelming response with typically over 100 Trump/ Pence and other candidate signs given out in just an hour. As an added bonus, we use this opportunity to register new voters as well as help Democrat voters change their registration to Republican.
Upper Uwchlan Township activist Christina “P.K.” Digiulio said that those stealing signs are unpatriotic.
“If one party resorts to theft of house signs, then it shows defeat,” she said. “What these people are doing is disrupting the process of elections.
“This is unpatriotic. In fact, it’s criminal – there are thieves trying to steal our democracy and our moral being. We must not be drawn into their child’s play. Is this what people want American elections to represent?
“Is it OK for people or parties to encourage such immature behavior in our election process? And yes, silence is encouragement. Silence is complicit. These are sad times. It’s embarrassing, actually.”