Missing a Campaign Sign? You're Not Alone, Says Shakopee Police

Several "Vote Yes" signs in Shakopee were stolen last week, according to Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate. They were not the only campaign signs to go missing, this election season, however. "Vote No" signs have been stolen too, said Tate in an email to Patch.

"It's not uncommon during election time to see a number of these signs stolen," Tate said.

When Shakopee Police find a sign, if possible, they try to return it to the owner. In the past, the police have found that high school students steal the signs and discard them somewhere, Tate explained.

"We're not sure if that's the case with last week's thefts," he said.

Council member Matt Lehman recently wrote a blog post about his frustration with stolen "Vote Yes" signs.

Shakopee Mayor Brad Tabke told Patch in an email that he hasn't heard much from residents about sign theft. He shared his general opinion on the issue:

"Stealing signs is a violation of free speech, wrong and should never be tolerated. I believe, as well, that the quantity of stolen political signs is generally overstated. Signs illegally placed on city, county and state property or right-of-way are removed. As well, we had some heavy winds come through the end of the last week that wreaks havoc on lawn signs. Unless people are caught in the act, it is tough to know exactly what has happened."

Tate said that residents can report stolen signs to the police.

Have you experienced "sign theft" this election season?