Carson City sheriff addresses political sign vandalism, urges neighborhood property watches
Each political election season, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office receives numerous complaints of political signs being taken, vandalized, or even property being severely damaged related to the political elections.
Although a common complaint to law enforcement, it’s not so common if the signs or property vandalized is your own. And while the “party” leaderships would discourage extremists within the organizations to carry on with such behavior, it continues to occur.
This year, more than in previous election years, the reports of damage and stolen signs has been greater than in the past. In addition to the regular candidate signs, it seems that many residents are displaying U.S. flags, along with some candidate flags. Many of these have also fallen to vandals and thieves as well.
Carson City Sheriff Furlong would like to encourage everyone in our community that the best protection against vandals’ rests right in the neighborhood.
Family looking out after family, and neighbors looking out after neighbors can be at the front line of our response in identifying the culprits and bringing them up on charges for vandalism and theft.
With the new wave of residential camera systems in place, neighbors may well have information on the recording devices that can help in identifying suspects. Neighbors should not just assume that the yard signs missing from across the street were taken down by the homeowner. Keep in contact and periodically review saved data from your systems; it just might be the 3 seconds needed.
Please watch over one another, as the best witnesses are often across or just down the street from where the vandalism took place. Vandals should be aware that their actions could result in severe consequences that can last a lifetime, especially if the vandalism results in severe property damage that rises to the level of a felony.
If you know, or suspect you may have valued information on a residential or business DVR, please contact the Carson City Sheriff’s Office at 887-2677 (COPS) to pass this information on.