Political signs targeted by thieves – crawfordcountynow.com

By Kimberly Gasuras, CCN Reporter September 11, 2020 2:08 pm

BUCYRUSStealing political signs is a crime and several Bucyrus residents have reported signs stolen from their yards in the past few weeks.

Mayor Jeff Reser said he has received calls from citizens who have had their signs stolensome very unhappy folks.

I dont blame them for being unhappy. We have a long history in Bucyrus of getting along with our neighborsregardless of political affiliation. I believe that the thefts of political signs are the work of very few people who dont know that this is a serious issue, said Reser. We live in politically charged times and we need to redouble our efforts to respect those people (and their property) with whom we may not agree with politically. Stealing signs is no way to support your candidate.

Bucyrus resident Lisa Miller has had her Biden signs stolen twice in the past month.

Gary and I have had signs stolen twice this year and in past campaigns. We might disagree with a candidate, but we would not stoop to the level of thievery, said Miller.

Roger Groves, who lives a few blocks away from the Millers, had his Trump sign stolen about a month ago.

I think it was teenagers who did it. I did not replace it because I figure they will do it again, Groves said.

Neither Miller nor Groves made a police report regarding their stolen signs.

That is not a good use of our safety forces time. We just replace the signs. Gary also made one that says, Biden/Harris 2020. Thou shalt not steal, said Miller.

Lt. Tom Walker, public information officer for the Bucyrus Police Department, said there have only been two police reports made about stolen political signs.

According to our records, only two people have reported political signs stolen: one Trump and one Biden, said Walker.

He said that in Ohio, stealing a political sign is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

There are also civil implications, for which someone can be sued by the victim for violating his or her First Amendment rights which is freedom of speech. The penalty for a tort of that kind falls within the discretion of a judge or jury, Walker said.

Walker said there are no suspects yet in the incidents that are being investigated and anyone with information regarding the theft of political signs should contact the Bucyrus Police Department at 419-562-1006.

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Political signs targeted by thieves - crawfordcountynow.com