Be advised that stealing or tampering with a political sign is a crime in Maine.
Over the past two weeks someone stole three of Ken Lemont’s signs from the Kittery transfer station road and one of Dennis Estes signs was run over. Throughout the week someone drove over Lemont’s signs flattening them out. They also did the same to a yellow library sign. A person in a truck was seen doing it while vaping an electronic cigarette.
On Saturday night Oct 21st, and Sunday Oct 22nd and after 7, a woman pulled Ken Lemont’s and Dennis Estes signs out or the ground and tossed them in the grass. All while her male companion and dog looked on. This was across from Stimson St. on Government St.
Signs for Lemont and Estes were removed from a home on Cook St. as well as other locations throughout Kittery and Kittery Point. A social media person writes to a post about Ken’s Signs, ” I saw a woman take one down on Gerrish island as u come across the bridge… was a woman about 60.. running away from group of signs holding one.. around 630am… pathetic”
The Maine Attorney General’s Office and Maine State Police have been contacted and consulted in this matter.
Tampering with campaign signs is not new. Other signs such as the library signs are not immune. This past election, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump signs were being taken or vandalized and it was a constant complaint for police.
If you see someone stealing or tampering with a POLITICAL SIGN, get their license plate number or a description and take a picture with your smart phone then report it no matter who you side with. Please call the Kittery Police Department if you see this type of crime by calling 207-439-1638.
When I originally posted this, the couple was unknown. It is now possible they have been tentatively identified and it was reported to the Kittery Police Department.
1917-B. Unlawful removal of temporary signs
A person who takes, defaces or disturbs a sign placed within the public right-of-way in accordance with section 1913-A, subsection 1, paragraph L commits a civil violation for which a fine of up to $250 may be adjudged. This section does not apply to a person authorized to remove signs placed within the public right-of-way in accordance with section 1913-A, subsection 1, paragraph L. [2015, c. 403, §6
353. Theft by unauthorized taking or transfer
- A person is guilty of theft if:
- The person obtains or exercises unauthorized control over the property of another with intent to deprive the other person of the property. Violation of this paragraph is a Class E crime; [2005, c. 199, §4 (AMD).]
806. Criminal mischief
- A person is guilty of criminal mischief if that person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly:
- Damages or destroys the property of another, having no reasonable grounds to believe that the person has a right to do so; damages or destroys property to enable any person to collect insurance proceeds for the loss caused; or tampers with the property of another, having no reasonable grounds to believe that the person has the right to do so, and thereby impairs the use of that property; [1991, c. 824, Pt. D, §3 (RPR).]