Tanner warns would-be sign tamperers

Tanner warns would-be sign tamperers



By CHAD SMITH
chad.smith@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 07/27/08

Let the sign wars begin.

State Attorney John Tanner, who is up for reelection this fall, said posting campaign signs around town is one of the fun parts of the process.

But, Tanner said, his office and the four county sheriffs in his district aren't going to tolerate sign tampering.

Several candidates around the district have complained about their signs being tampered with or stolen, he said.

A $500 reward is being offered for information that leads to the prosecution of anyone stealing or tampering with a candidate's sign.

"I thought it was time we tried to do something about it, and all the sheriffs agree," he said.

About 30 signs for a candidate in Flagler County were recently reported stolen, among several other complaints. They're expensive to replace.

"When you get up to 30 of those big signs, you're talking about money," Tanner said.

Local campaigns spend thousands of dollars on the signs, and not only is messing with them "immoral," it's criminal, he said.

The crime is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500 and 60 days in jail. A repeat offense is a felony.

St. Johns County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kevin Kelshaw said he had not heard of campaign signs being defaced or stolen in the county.

To report campaign sign tampering or thefts, call a sheriff's office or the state attorney's office.

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