The OPP warns that stealing or defacing election signs can result in a fine or jail time and they ask anyone witnessing such incidents to report them to police.
Since Sept. 12, the official nominations day for the Oct. 27 municipal election, the Advertiser has received several complaints from candidates throughout the county who say their campaign signs have been stolen or defaced.
Just this week, Centre Wellington mayoral candidate Kelly Linton told the Advertiser that dozens of his campaign signs have been stolen recently.
“This is getting crazy – we have had close to 50 signs stolen,” Linton said in an Oct. 12 email.
The Newspaper also heard a similar complaint earlier in the campaign from Guelph-Eramosa mayoral candidate John Scott.
“I am disappointed that within the first two days of placing signs … several (of my)signs have been removed by persons unknown from certain locations,” Scott said in a Sept. 16 email.
“I would ask the public to appreciate the right to express opinion and I would hope that those who are responsible for such vandalism desist. This is a public forum and our democracy must be maintained.”
Also last month, there were reports out of Wellington North that several signs belonging to mayoral candidate Ray Tout had been defaced.
Such complaints are not uncommon during elections, but information provided by Wellington County OPP media relations officer Bob Bortolato suggests most of the incidents are not reported to police.
Bortolato noted the OPP has received just two complaints about election signs in the last two months: thefts from the Palmerston and Erin areas.
He warned there are penalties for messing with the campaign signs.
“Anyone caught damaging or removing election signs may be arrested and could face criminal charges for mischief or theft under $5,000,” he told the Advertiser.
Those charged would have to attend court and face a fine and/or jail time, Bortolato added of the charges, which fall under the Criminal Code.
He said anyone who witnesses the theft or vandalism of elections signs should contact Wellington County OPP or Crime Stoppers to report the incident.
