Presidential campaign signs reported vandalized or stolen in three counties

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Police in at least two counties are investigating reports of stolen or vandalized campaign signs, and more have been reported stolen in a third county.

Earlier this week, members of the Oneida County Democratic Committee reported the theft of campaign signs and, in two cases, vandalism or theft of personal property.

All signs taken were supporting the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz presidential campaign.

The committee chair told NewsChannel 9 that as of Thursday, more than 100 signs had been taken.

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The Oneida County Sheriff says his office is investigating the stolen campaign signs, as some of the instances were reported directly to police. He hopes impacted property owners might have doorbell camera footage that captured the theft.

NewsChannel 9’s initial reporting of the signs in Oneida County prompted calls from other areas of Central New York where other signs had been tampered with.

In Cato, a man’s Harris-Walz flag was burned.

He reported the incident to the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office.

“You start to feel a little intimidated,” Andrew Derby said, speaking of the fire. “Maybe something else could have happened. Maybe something else will happen. I hope not.”

Derby said he’ll leave the burned remnants of melted vinyl up. He called it “a monument to the insane times we’re living in.”

“It’s not going to change my vote,” Derby said. “My message would be just take a breath. People have a right to disagree with you, just like you have a right to disagree with me.”

A third instance of missing signs was reported in the Oswego County Town of Minetto, where the former town supervisor says the signs he put out were taken.

Anyone responsible faces only a petit larceny misdemeanor unless it’s proven the same group stole more than $1,000 worth of signs which would make it grand larceny. There’s no additional charge for the infringement of the First Amendment.

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