Stolen Yard Signs

My wife and I are disappointed. We have had a “vote no” sign in our yard for the past month or so. One was stolen, like other signs in the neighborhood. I saw one or two homemade signs to replace what were stolen. We told ourselves that paying another $10 for a replacement would just be more money to the cause, so we got another. We also put a bunch of staples in the new sign and connected it to a tree with wire. We figured that they would really need to work to take it. They did. Is this happening elsewhere in town (we are in Lakeside)? How can such behavior be anything but theft? I cringe when I walk by a yard with a “vote yes” sign, but I don’t steal the sign. I think somebody’s values are seriously out of whack. We are disappointed. It’s apparently not enough to limit the freedom to marry, but free speech is also out of bounds.

21 Comments

HipCast

about 11 years ago

It's happening to people on both sides of this issue.  My street was filled with "Vote Yes" signs, except for the "Vote No" sign in my yard.  Last week all the "Vote Yes" signs were stolen, leaving just my "Vote No" sign.  Like you, I find the idea that people would vote yes on this issue to be upsetting, but I don't agree with silencing a person's right to express his or her opinion.

emmadogs

about 11 years ago

So far, so good in Upper Congdon (now I've done it).  Several 'Vote No' signs, including our yard, and one 'Vote Yes" in neighbor's yard, all untouched/unvandalized.  I hope that continues.  I am also curious about what's going on in other neighborhoods.

in.dog.neato

about 11 years ago

You know things are getting shitty when a few idiots on both sides of the fence do their damnedest to make the rest of their comrades look bad just to further their own intolerance of the opinions of others.
 
Agree to disagree, folks. You're not going to influence anyone's opinion positively by trespassing on their property to commit a B misdemeanor.

The Big E

about 11 years ago

Welcome to the mental universe of the teenage dolt.

Claire

about 11 years ago

Our Vote No sign in Congdon/Chester Park got stolen once this summer, but not since. Two Vote Yes signs on our block also still there. I guess the people in our neighborhood aren't such assholes as some elsewhere have been. There's a house with half a dozen Vote Yes signs over at 20th & 7th, I am going to knock on the door and exchange values with them. A lot more effective than stealing someone's damn signs.

in.dog.neato

about 11 years ago

Teenage dolt or irate neighbor. I've witnessed the Conservatude down the street from us having very heated one-sided conversations with the two Reinert signs on our block.

wskyline

about 11 years ago

Report your sign as stolen, it is a crime and should be reported. It has also been suggested that you write something on your sign along the lines of "if you steal this sign, you are making sure I donate another $20 to MNUnited." 

All is good here in my area of W. Skyline, no signs stolen yet. No matter what your opinion is on this amendment,  keep your conversations and actions respectful!

in.dog.neato

about 11 years ago

Claire, you can't reason a person out a position they haven't reasoned themselves into. Let your vote speak for you. Don't invite the drama.

Claire

about 11 years ago

In.Dog, you are probably right. My daughter tells me I had better not talk to the neighbors next to us with the Betsy, I mean Becky Hall sign and the Vote Yes sign... I think the Vote Yes and Vote No people do pretty much have their minds made up. Sigh....It's going to be a squeaker.

Herzog

about 11 years ago

During Bush/Kerry Election '04, I took great care in running over Bush election signs in my Chevy Van when possible, that way I wasn't stealing them, just repositioning for flyer-bys. One time, it was near the fifth hole, and some golfer saw me do it. I think he was a little upset at this display of wanton abandon, that someone would knowingly deface such a symbol of peace and prosperity. Though now historically, Bush is widely recognized as one of the greatest dip shits in American history, back then, he was thought of as our kindly grandfather savior, and our only path toward spreading F&D in the Middle East. I don't know what my point is here. Maybe that it's simply hard to run over any 'vote Yes' signs around here given the obstacles.

I know a preacher who had a vote no sign in the back of his truck. It made me curious whether he had removed it, or intended to place it. 

Shitty plastic lawn signs that end up being buried in the earth should also be illegal. 

Herzog

about 11 years ago

Future generations will find them and say, 'These people were idiots!  They couldn't have found freedom or democracy if it jumped up and bit them on the ass.'

Claire

about 11 years ago

I hate the oversized signs that popped up all over the Twin Cities years ago and now seem to be more common around these parts in recent electons. As if larger signs are going to be more persuasive.

quirtep

about 11 years ago

Yeah, I have to admit that we're not usually a lawn sign sort of family.  This time though, the issue got us riled enough that we decided to - thinking it was confusing and sneaky to phrase it as "vote yes for marriage" when what you're really doing is voting no to a certain group of people being allowed to marry.  Anyway, getting off topic...  My wife has a keychain with a panic alarm sound that goes off if the little plastic part is pulled apart from the chain.  We're going to try to booby trap the next sign, so at least the thief will get a fright in the form of a piercing shreek that hopefully will wake up the neighborhood.  Yeah, maybe it's going too far, but it makes me smile, and was cheaper than a wireless surveillance system.

pats

about 11 years ago

quirtep....  you could start  business this time of year selling that alarm idea to people with lawn signs, and I guess pumpkins too!

Claire

about 11 years ago

I love it! Nothing riles me more than some jerk going into my yard and stealing my signs or my Halloween decorations or whatever else I have out there.

bluenewt

about 11 years ago

Another deterrent that might work: a motion-detector sprinkler, such as the Scarecrow. If a person comes into your yard, the sprinkler will shoot a jet of water at them. I have had good luck deterring deer with mine. I don't know why it wouldn't work on assholes, too.

forthetime_being

about 11 years ago

We have the opposite problem in South Minneapolis. "Vote Yes" signs are outlawed by collective suppression. 

quirtep

about 11 years ago

Paul L. might describe it as kids being kids (and I do respect Paul, so no offense on that front) but for the third time in as many weeks all of the "Vote No" signs in the neighborhood have been removed.  Not other signs, just the pro-marriage-for-everyone signs.  I don't know why the assumption is that it's a juvenile prank.  It seems more like a targeted effort to me.  It creeps me out and makes me wonder who my neighbors are, except not really since most of my neighbors had their signs stolen.  We've taken to bringing our sign in every night, so at least we still have one...for now.

lstribling

about 11 years ago

Hi everyone. I'm a reporter with WDIO-TV in Duluth and was hoping to get in contact with people who have had their signs (vote yes or no) damaged, taken or vandalized. Please contact my work cell (218) 348-7847. Please contact me, if you're interested, ASAP.

rappdaddy

about 11 years ago

The first time they just ripped up our Vote No sign and left it in the yard... I taped it back together (a pretty good job I might add) and stuck it back out there.  The second time they just took it, along with a few of our neighbors signs... We are in Lakeside.  I just don't understand how stealing these can be justified?  I don't agree with you so I am willing to commit a crime to take away your right to display your opinion on the subject? Silly logic there I think.  I am happy they have left my Vote Gary Johnson sign alone... since he is also opposed to restricting gay marriage I feel a tiny victory and sense of superiority over the thief who keeps taking my signs.

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