Law enforcement in the Walla Walla area has received multiple reports of pro-Kamala Harris signs missing from residents’ yards, but authorities say they have not identified a suspect.
Three residents in the area of Francis Avenue and Boyer Avenue told the Walla Walla Police Department on Friday, Oct. 11, that many, if not all, of the political signs were from incumbent Vice President Harris and vice presidential candidate Minnesota. He said he is promoting his candidacy as the Democratic presidential candidate. Gov. Tim Walz disappeared from their property, said Sergeant Tim Walz. Nick Loudermilk, department spokesperson.
Signs representing various political affiliations compete for attention on a fence at the corner of West Main Street and South 9th Street on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Greg Lehman, Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
Loudermilk said one of the callers said similar signs had been photographed at about five other addresses in the neighborhood, but those residents did not report the incidents to police.
Meanwhile, the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office received reports of pro-Harris signs disappearing from private property south of the city on Friday and Tuesday, Oct. 15, said Richard Schramm, chief deputy spokesman for the sheriff’s office. Ta.
Loudermilk and Schramm said security camera footage examined so far has not revealed any evidence that police can use. Without clues, “unfortunately there’s not much we can do,” Schramm said.
At this time, police said they will not investigate the apparent sign theft further. Loudermilk said that could change if the incidents become widespread or systematic.
Schramm said he recommends property owners place signs within view of security cameras to capture time frames of suspects, vehicles involved, etc.
Jan Cohn, president of the Walla Walla County Democratic State Committee, said two young men came to the Walla Walla County Democratic Party headquarters on East Main Street on Tuesday and handed in about a dozen pro-Harris signs, which the men said He said that he had passed it. Through a series of management.
“That’s what they explained… They weren’t taken, but they ended up putting them in the back of a pickup truck,” Cohn said.
More signs have not been returned.
This pro-Kamala Harris sign sits 8 or 9 feet high above a tree in East Walla Walla.
Greg Lehman, Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
“We replaced quite a few with what we had,” said Cohn, who also serves as campaign chair for Democratic candidate Kari Isaacson in Washington’s 16th Senate District.
Cohn said the county Democratic Party is distributing replacement signs while supplies last. “We didn’t want (people) to have to pay twice,” she said.
Cohn said the collection of signatures the men delivered included at least two that were not issued by the county Democratic Party. A handmade Biden-Harris 2020 signature with the “Biden” part cut out and the signature “Republicans support Harris.”
One person who reported the sign missing told the County Democratic Party their reaction. “They just made another donation to the Harris Waltz national campaign, and they were willing to pay for another (sign),” Cohn said.
Frances Shubatal, acting chair of the county Democratic Party, said of the theft allegations: Just not. That’s just a waste. You’re just wasting people’s time and money. And that’s disrespectful to the candidates and the people who support them. ”
She added: “It’s kind of a pathetic way to express your opinion about something.”
Chuvatar is volunteering for the bipartisan campaign to elect Walla Walla County Commissioner District 1 candidate Bertha Clayton, but is not a local Democratic leader.
Jenny Mayberry, a Republican candidate for District 1 commissioner, posted on Facebook in September about damage to several signs she had purchased for her campaign, including one on West Thietan Street near the fairgrounds. It also included a photo.
“My signs are constantly being stolen and vandalized,” she said in the post. “I understand that things like this happen during election periods, but this time it seems a little more personal because they’re gouging out my eyes and putting an X on my face. ”
Walla Walla County Republican Party Chair Wendy Creger said in a text to the Union Bulletin: “Here in Walla Walla, our community needs dignified races. Essential to maintaining government and a peaceful community. Back in September, Commissioner Mayberry also experienced vandalism against her re-election sign.
“All candidates at all levels of government expect public scrutiny,” Creger continued. “But this action will not be appreciated by Commissioner Mayberry or the others on the ballot who are running to serve our local community and beyond.”
Kreger noted that removing or defacing political signs without permission is a misdemeanor in Washington. She encouraged people to report vandalism to police.
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