Campaign sign tampering reported in county

By Nate Delesline III

Published: October 10, 2008

Despite a handful of incidents, law enforcement officials say that reports of political sign tampering this fall have been limited.

Still, some unlawful things are happening to signs on both sides of the political spectrum.

Authorities say a campaign sign for Sen. John McCain was tampered with in northern Culpeper County late this week, prompting the property owner to summon authorities.

The incident, reported around 8:45 a.m. Thursday, happened in the 10000 block of Rixeyville Road, said Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Jim Fox.

Deputies found the sign had been turned inside out, with a handmade sign supporting Sen. Barack Obama taped to it.

Due to where the sign was placed, and because it wasn’t damaged, destroyed or stolen, deputies took an “information only” report. No trespassing or vandalism occurred, Fox said.

Roger Brown, who reported Thursday’s incident, called it a “premeditated” stunt that crossed the line.

County resident Jeff Knight says someone ripped down a large pro-Obama banner hanging from his barn last month, breaking a window in the process.

“I didn’t care for that much,” he said.

Another Obama supporter, who asked not to be indentified, said that the first sign on her property lasted less than 24 hours before disappearing.

Despite these accounts, Fox said that “no more than five” incidents involving theft or damage to campaign signs have been reported to county authorities.

In town, police investigated last month the theft or damage of about a dozen McCain campaign signs along South East Street, but no problems have surfaced since, said town spokesman Wally Bunker.

Bunker said those who disturb campaign signs may face misdemeanor charges of destroying property (if it causes less than $1,000 in damage) or petty larceny (for stealing anything valued at less than $200).

Nate Delesline III can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or .