Vandalizing or stealing election signs a criminal offence
Someone has been wrecking or removing election signs in Essex County — a tactic OPP are reminding the public is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada.
According to OPP, there have been multiple complaints of vandalism to campaign signs on residential properties since the beginning of September — particularly in the Kingsville and Leamington area.
Police said a possible suspect in one instance in Leamington was described as an “older man with white hair,” driving an older-model black pickup truck.
OPP aren’t saying whose signs were targeted. But on Sept. 29, Katie Omstead — Liberal candidate for the riding of Chatham-kent-leamington — took to social media to share images of several of her signs in a damaged state.
At the same locations, the signs of Conservative candidate Dave Epp were left untouched.
“Sadly, in an attempt to silence our positive campaign, we had many signs completely destroyed,” Omstead tweeted on Sept. 29. “This is illegal and has no place in Canadian politics. A police report is being filed.”
Essex County OPP point out that Canada’s Election Act states: “no person can prevent or impair the transmission to the public of an election advertising message without the consent of a person with authority to authorize its transmission.”
Damage to an election sign is grounds for a charge of mischief.
Venturing onto private property to alter an election sign also exposes a person to a trespassing charge.
Windsor police said they haven’t received similar complaints. But in London, candidates across the political spectrum have raised concerns about their signs being abused or attacked since the start of their campaigns.
Anyone with information about election sign vandalism can call OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can be made via Crime Stoppers (519-258-8477) or catchcrooks.com.