Political signs stolen, vandalized in Bountiful
Oct 18, 2024, 3:00 PM
(Ian McDonald)
SALT LAKE CITY — Political signs are being stolen and vandalized in a Bountiful neighborhood.
Resident Ian McDonald said political signs have been stolen, burned and then returned to yards in his neighborhood.
“To me, it’s kind of a fundamental breakdown of neighbors being able to talk to one another about things that matter, ” he said.
Police Lieutenant Andrew Smith said there have been several reports of sign thefts in Bountiful. According to Smith, stealing political signs is a class B misdemeanor.
“In one of the reports it said that when the victim in this case confronted the alleged suspects, they said they don’t like the candidate. You know, obviously, that’s not okay. Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion,” said Smith.
Thanks to some video surveillance, police know that juveniles are responsible for at least some of the thefts. Smith urges parents to remind their kids it’s OK to have differing opinions and that they can be charged with a crime.
“A theft is a theft. It doesn’t matter the dollar amount…” said Smith.
Smith recommended putting political signs on the interior windows but said we also need to educate our young people on respecting differing opinions.