Theft of signs a crime

Published 5:05 pm Monday, October 20, 2008

San Juan County Sheriff Bill Cumming has responded to a spate of political sign vandalism on Orcas and Lopez Islands, saying “We would ask that islanders be good citizens and good neighbors and allow people to express their political preference without being harassed.

Cumming said that the Sheriff’s Department is aware of multiple reports of political signs being taken, which is theft in the third degree. If the signs are taken from private property, trespass is also committed.

“If detected, we will arrest and prosecute these crimes,” Cumming said.