Campaign sign thefts cost candidates dearly

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.—A homemade sign in Santa Barbara’s San Roque neighborhood says “stop sign stealing,” and then it’s a sign with transposed letters against a presidential candidate.

“I think this year there have been a lot more than in previous years,” said Suzanne Cohen, president of the Santa Barbara County Democratic Women.

Presidential signs are usually funded by donations.

South County field organizer Hannah Cohen said more than a dozen voters stopped or called Democratic headquarters about missing signs.

She said proposal signs were also taken.

A school board candidate says she had to replace several signs she paid for on the Mesa.

Thieves and vandals targeted dozens of signs supporting the incumbent Santa Barbara City Council on Santa Barbara’s East Side.

A grocery store that supported her had to clean the marks left on a window.

Some surveillance cameras captured the thefts which were reported to the police.

Suzanne Cohen calls this a crime and a form of intimidation.

“Sign stealing is a form of voter intimidation. It’s someone who comes onto private property, it’s someone who comes into your yard or around your house and is vandalizing with spray paint or take something from you.”

Your news channel will have more on the missing signs tonight on the news.