Thieves and vandals attack campaign signs | Letter

Published 3:04 pm Thursday, July 5, 2012

It is election season once again, and sadly, as in past elections, someone is targeting the campaign signs of Dawn McCravey, candidate for State Senate in the 1st Legislative District.

Perhaps the thieves and vandals do not realize that their actions are illegal. RCW 29A.84.040 states that “a person who removes or defaces lawfully placed political advertising, including yard signs or billboards, without authorization is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable to the same extent as a misdemeanor that is punishable under RCW 9A.20.021. The defacement or removal of each item constitutes a separate violation.”

The sentence for stealing or vandalizing campaign signs is up to 90 days in jail, or a fine of up to $1,000, or both imprisonment and a fine for each violation.

Beyond just the legal ramifications from these unlawful acts is the fact that by attacking the campaign signs of a candidate you don’t support you only succeed in making the other candidates look bad.

You see, when you steal or vandalize McCravey’s signs, it gives the appearance that one of her opponents is behind your actions. Your sleazy behavior in regard to her signs reflects badly on Guy Palumbo and Rosemary McAuliffe. It makes them look guilty. It’s just bad politics no matter how you look at it.

Berta Phillips, Bothell