Disappearing act: Campaign sign theft hits Butler, Warren counties

Of the many things that elections bring, campaign signs is one of them, as are campaign sign theft and vandalism.

While officials say campaign sign theft is not an uncommon issue, residents told the Journal-News it reflects just how heated this presidential campaign has been.

“This particular election has become so contentious, which is a shame because our country was set up to have dialogue and discussion on different points of view,” Leslie Nogle, of Lebanon, said. “It seems that no one’s point of view is being respected.”

Nogle said she’s had six yard signs supporting Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton stolen from her property on Bunnell Hill Road, a two-lane busy roadway with no sidewalks or paved shoulders.

Oddly enough, she said, the other half-dozen signs for Democratic candidates haven’t been touched.

Terry Whitmore, who lives in Middletown, has had several campaign signs for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump stolen. The Curryer Road resident filed a police report Friday after his fifth sign in the past month was stolen.

He even plans to install a security camera to try to catch the thieves, he said.

“They’ve stolen them all over this town,” he said. “I’m tired of it. If you don’t agree with someone or not, you don’t have the right to come on to my property and steal my property.”

Just last month the Liberty Twp. Fire Department responded to a home after a large presidential campaign sign for Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, was set on fire.

Thefts of this type are considered a misdemeanor charge, according to Fairfield police Lt. Steve Maynard, who added that anyone caught stealing signs could face a theft or criminal mischief charge.

Both Whitmore and Nogle have taken steps to prevent signs from being stolen. Whitmore’s moved his closer to his home, and Nogle has spaced them out and moved them away from her driveway with the Clinton sign being the farthest away.

“We know that many Republican signs have been stolen or damaged,” said Butler County GOP Executive Chairman Todd Hall. “However, we encourage our supporters to keep moving forward and to stay focused on getting out the vote and winning the election.”

Local Democratic Party leaders are pushing the same message to its members and supporters, and Democratic Party spokesman Dave Spurrier said they’ve had to take in their signs every night in order to prevent theft.

“It doesn’t bother me if someone wants to put out a Trump sign because it’s their right,” Spurrier said. “But we’ve put out more than 3,000 signs and you don’t see very many.”

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