Westport Tradition: Numerous Campaign Signs Stolen

As political races heat up with the : missing campaign signs.

The Westport Police Department has received a number of complaints regarding the theft of political campaign signs, something that is a criminal offense, according to Westport Police Chief Dale Call. 

Stealing or defacing a sign could result in larceny and trespassing charges.

"The taking of campaign signs from either private or public property that their presence is allowed on, will not be tolerated and subject to a criminal arrest, Call said. "A better way to indicate a person’s voting preference is at the polls."

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While only a couple of complaints have been formally filed, the department has received several complaints about the theft of signs, according to Westport Police Captain Sam Arciola. 

The Obama for America campaign charges $15 for their signs while many other campaigns are giving out signs for free. Cost aside, the Westport Police Department would like to remind the public that stealing campaign signs is illegal. 

This has been a problem for years in Westport. In past elections, both Republicans and Democrats have cried foul about missing signs. In 2006, signs for U.S. Rep Jim Himes, D-4, had red lines painted on them.

In 2010, at the Republican headquarters in downtown Westport, all the signs for GOP candidates were taken down and replaced with Democratic counterparts.