BELLAIRE, Texas – No matter how much you might not agree with a politician or a political party - don’t steal or damage their campaign signs.
Doing so could land you in a shiny pair of handcuffs.
Vandalizing or downright taking a campaign sign from someone’s yard is a big no-no. It might not seem like it’s that big of a deal, but it’s truly against the law.
Each and every election cycle, local law enforcement agencies around the country get the same calls: “Someone stole my campaign sign.” Or “Someone destroyed my political sign.”
That just happened to Sarah McGiver in Bellaire.
“We woke up on Sunday morning. We were like, oh goodness, that’s not how we wanted to get the message out there,” she told KPRC 2′s Gage Goulding. “My feelings were really hurt.”
McGiver just planted a pro-Kamala Harris and Tim Walz sign in her front yard on Friday.
Within 48 hours, someone used paint and marker to write ‘MAGA 2024′ on one side and ‘TRUMP VANCE’ on the other.
It hurt McGiver because this was the first campaign sign that she designed and her company printed.
“It’s supposed to say ‘Femininomenon,’” McGiver explained the nod to a 2022 song by Chappell Roan.
“What we really need is a Femininomenon, is what Chappell Roan says in the song,” McGiver said.
This isn’t the first time her home, vehicle or political signs have been targeted either.
In the past, she says her tires were slashed, an LGBTQ+ sign destroyed and even a bumper sticker ruined.
“I think it’s wrong to come on to people’s property and vandalize and deface it and trespass,” she said.
It’s not only wrong, but it’s illegal.
“It is not funny. It is against the law,” said Bellaire Police Chief Onesimo Lopez. “You are out there damaging somebody else’s property. Something that somebody else paid money for. That’s criminal mischief, just to damage it. If you go and steal a sign that could be a class C misdemeanor.”
Penalties range from a $500 fine to up to $2,000 with 30 days in jail.
It might seem like small potatoes, but it’s something the Bellaire Police Department takes seriously.
“Something like this is while it’s a relatively small crime here in Bellaire, we investigate everything,” Chief Lopez said. “Back in 2016, I had one of my own campaign signs stolen. So, it happens everywhere and anybody can be a victim. But it’s not right and shouldn’t be happening.”
Instead of risking a mugshot, a fine and even losing your job, McGiver has a big of advice for you.
“Get your own sign, put it in your yard [and] don’t worry about mine,” she said.
