Tampering with political signs a crime
By Kathy McCarty
Political candidates from at least three communities — Presque Isle, Blaine and Mapleton — have reported having campaign signs removed, damaged or destroyed in recent weeks.
“It’s a civil matter — unlawful removal of political signs — that carries a fine of up to $250,” said Deputy District Attorney Carrie Linthicum.
In Presque Isle, Democrat Michael Willette, who is running for re-election as state representative for District 5, had a large sign removed from the lawn of an Academy Street business a few weeks ago. It was discovered, broken, laying on another lawn in the neighborhood. Nathan Smith, a Democrat from Blaine running for the state representative seat in District 6, also had a number of signs removed, damaged or destroyed. Police are looking for the person(s) responsible.
District 7 candidate Troy Haines, a Mapleton Democrat, has had a number of signs removed — a box from his personal vehicle and several from lawns in his hometown — with the Sheriff’s Department called in to investigate signs moved over the weekend.
“On the morning of Monday, Oct. 11, the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of theft of political signs from Troy Haines of Mapleton. Haines reported that sometime during the night, someone had removed all of his signs on Main Street in Mapleton and had left them on his property in Mapleton,” said Sgt. Forrest Dudley, ACSO.
Deputy Michael Montpetit responded to investigate, collecting evidence that subsequently led to the identification of the person who’d moved the signs.
“During the course of the investigation, it came about that the signs had been taken from their locations by an 18-year-old female from Presque Isle. An apology was made to Haines and the signs were returned to their locations. Haines advised that he did not wish to press charges,” said Dudley, noting a call was made to the District Attorney’s Office and they, as well as the Sheriff’s Office, were “satisfied with this course of action and no charges were issued.”
Dudley said this is a common occurrence whenever an election is approaching.
“Every election year, law enforcement agencies receive complaints of this nature. Just as a reminder to all citizens, it is illegal to tamper with and/or remove any political signs. In fairness to all candidates, please do not destroy, deface or remove any signs for anyone who may be running for any office,” said Dudley.
