Campaign signs stolen, vandalized

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department has responded to several recent complaints of vandalized campaign signs.

"It always seems to be a problem during the campaign season," said Sheriff Craig Doolittle. " I have had several of my signs vandalized and stolen over the years from many different areas."

The Whitehall Ledger had several residents contact them about their signs either being stolen or vandalized. Ruth Lott of Cardwell said political signs have been stolen and disfigured, one in particular with large caliber bullets very near homes.

According to Doolittle, the charges could range from theft if the signs are taken, trespassing if they went onto private property to steal or vandalize the sign, and it could also just be criminal mischief if the sign was just vandalized but left in place and no trespass occurred.

"There are many variables in these scenarios," he said.