It is campaign season. There will be signs. Sign laws allow them between 60 days before the election until 10 days after, at which time, they should be taken down.

The “gutter repair” and the “cash for your home” signs actually are never legal. Those need applications to the County and payment of sign placement fees.

But tearing down campaign signs is completely illegal. Whether you are a candidate, a fervent party member, or Joe Blotz voter, don’t touch that sign! It is actually illegal.

Having been a candidate int he past, I know many dicey and onery cowards are out there removing signs. I hope you get caught, photographed, and prosecuted. Those signs are not inexpensive. Dirty politics are not becoming.

So take a selfie as you do this and post it on social media, so we can prosecute you.

Citizens, if you see someone taking down signs, that is social media gold. Take the video!

Now, if that someone has a public works truck, it could be that the sign was placed where it is blocking a safe view of traffic at an intersection. Public Works does remove those. Savvy candidates know they can pick them up at the road shop sign depot.

So this is a request to the public. Report these thieves. Take their photos in the act. Let’s start making campaign a little less expensive by stopping this abominable practice.

This is about our entire community. Everyone should have the chance to hang their banner and be seen while seeking office. Let the public decide, not some two-bit thug with slivers.

A person who removes or defaces lawfully placed political advertising including yard signs or billboards without authorization is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable to the same extent as a misdemeanor that is punishable under RCW 9A.20.021.