Sheriffs warn that stealing political signs could result in fines and jail time

As Election Day approaches next month, fighting for your vote is against the law.

Multiple law enforcement agencies in the Capital Region are receiving reports of stolen political signs on people’s lawns.

“At first I was angry,” said Clifton Park resident Diana Lezette. “Someone comes onto our property and our neighbor’s property and takes not only our property, but our freedom of speech and our First Amendment rights and just takes those away from us.”

Clifton Park resident Diana Lezette says her Harris Walz sign is missing along with her neighbor’s on her street, but all the Trump signs are still up.

“What are these values ​​that you teach children, all of our children in our lives, that you can violate, that you can steal, that you can take away people’s First Amendment rights? That’s sad for me. “It’s not the country I’ve known my entire adult life,” Lizette said.

The sheriff’s department told CBS 6 it happens everywhere.

“We had a few complaints about people actually running over signs, not moving them away from the scene and just leaving. We have had other complaints about stolen signs,” Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino said. “We have a suspect in a small town who has complained to the municipal court about law enforcement, and we believe he is comparing Trump to local law enforcement and removing Trump signs.”

“I think every campaign we get a few calls like this,” said Daniel Morley, captain of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. “I don’t think this year is an exception.”

The posting of political signs is protected by the free speech provisions of the United States and New York State Constitutions.

Stealing or damaging signs can result in criminal trespassing and petty theft charges, which can result in fines or prison sentences.

“If you steal a sign, you could be arrested for it. When you see a lot of signs, you know, and the value of those signs starts to, you know, creep up, you know. “They could all be on the path to a crime,” said Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple.

“We don’t like to be put in a situation where we have to arrest people for silly things. We have much more important priorities for our agency,” said Sheriff Giardino. “I’m just asking people whether or not you would agree with them respecting other people’s political views.”