“I put my Harris/Walz lawn sign out last night, and less than 12 hours later, it was gone,” an anonymous Rumson resident posted on Facebook, who added several other neighbors’ signs were also stolen the first week of October.
Jess Patel, Fair Haven, reported that her signs were stolen that same week: two signs supporting Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, one Frank Pallone sign, and one Andy Kim sign.
“I’m incredibly frustrated that this is happening again (I also lost a sign in 2016 and one in 2020),” Patel noted. “It seems childish to steal a sign from someone’s property, and it’s also, obviously, illegal. I paid for two of my signs as a donation to a campaign, so there’s also a monetary component to the loss. I’m currently combing through my Ring camera footage; hopefully, I’ll find out who the culprit is.” She reported the thefts to her town police.
Due to concerns that their houses will be targeted again, some victims of sign theft told their stories anonymously. When a Locust resident and her husband drove up their driveway, she saw an “older man” standing on her property removing and destroying their sign supporting Andy Kim for Senate. The homeowners parked behind the man’s Mercedes and asked, “What are you doing?!” The man replied, “I’m picking up garbage.” He said it “as though it was the most normal thing in the world to be trespassing and stealing private property, while simultaneously violating a strangers’ First Amendment rights.” The homeowners told the man to pay them $20 to replace the damaged sign, emphasizing that the money was going to support a Democrat. When the man apologized, the homeowners replied, “Yes, I’m sure you are sorry that you got caught.”
Vandalized or stolen signs are being reported across the state. “In Moorestown, we’ve had 6-7 Harris signs ripped out of the ground and vandalized or stolen so far. We’re not seeing this happen for other races. As I recall, this seems worse than it was in 2020 but not as bad as 2016,” observed Susan Coleman, Co-Chair, Action Together Burlington County. “I’ve had many people tell me they are afraid to put up signs because of their Trump-supporting neighbors.”
Homeowners have resorted to practical and creative tools to deter thefts, ranging from installing video cameras, securing signs with zip ties, coating signs with Vaseline and glitter, even rubbing them with cayenne pepper or poison ivy. A new method is attaching Apple AirTags, a button-size geo-tracking device, to lawn signs. If caught, sign thieves can be charged with theft, criminal mischief, and receiving stolen property, according to Title 2c, New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice.
“During the Biden election,” a Fair Haven homeowner who prefers to remain anonymous recalled, “numerous signs had been stolen from my property.” She decided to get creative, and “coated the back of a new sign with Vaseline and a ton of glitter. That sign was stolen too, but my porch camera captured the people tossing it into their backseat and then looking at their hands. I’m happy just knowing they probably still have glitter in their car from four years ago.” She added that no more signs were stolen after that.”
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Lawn signs are a common way for individuals to express their support for a particular cause, candidate, or organization. Whether it be a political campaign, a neighborhood watch program, or a local business promotion, these signs serve as a visible representation of one’s beliefs and values.
However, one frustrating aspect of displaying lawn signs is the risk of theft. Unfortunately, there are individuals who may disagree with the message being conveyed or simply find it amusing to steal these signs. This can be not only disheartening for the owner of the sign, but also disruptive to the overall message being communicated.
In a recent report from Insider NJ, the issue of stolen lawn signs was brought to light. The article highlighted the experiences of several individuals who had their signs stolen and the impact it had on them. One resident, who had a sign supporting a local political candidate stolen, expressed feeling violated and angered by the theft. Another individual, who had a sign promoting a community event taken, noted the inconvenience of having to replace the sign and the frustration of not knowing who was responsible.
So how can individuals deal with the frustration of stolen lawn signs? One option is to take preventative measures, such as securing the sign with zip ties or placing it in a location that is less accessible to potential thieves. Additionally, some communities have implemented neighborhood watch programs or surveillance cameras to deter theft.
If a sign is stolen, it is important to report the theft to local authorities. While it may be difficult to track down the culprit, filing a police report can help document the incident and potentially lead to increased patrols in the area.
In conclusion, dealing with the frustration of stolen lawn signs can be a challenging experience. However, by taking preventative measures and reporting thefts to authorities, individuals can help protect their signs and continue to convey their message effectively. It is important for communities to come together to address this issue and ensure that everyone’s right to free expression is respected.
