On Wednesday, Mark Finchem, a small business owner and candidate for LD11 appeared on the James T Harris radio show to discuss the theft of “No on Prop 415” campaigns signs after a video went viral showing the theft of Shawwna Bolick’s LD28 campaign signs.
Bolick’s sign thief got caught, but the thieves who are stealing the signs purchased by those opposing Pima County’s pork-laden Proposition 415 have not been nabbed. Finchem told Harris, that while the wealthy contributed to support Prop 415, which will pass a big bill onto the poor and middle-class, the “No on Prop 415 campaign is being funded with small donations from people who are struggling already to cover the cost of a bloated Pima County.
Thieves are stealing the “No on Prop 415” signs faster than supporters can put them up.
In Phoenix though, a man was served with a summons this week for stealing several dozen Bolick signs over the course of a 12-day period from a private property. Video cameras had been deployed due to an exceptionally high number of stolen signs, especially from private lawns. In Arizona, it’s a crime to steal signs (ARS 16-1019 – political signs) if caught and prosecuted.
“I am absolutely appalled and shocked that some people have so little regard for private property and freedom of speech,” stated Bolick. “Our campaign intends to identify and prosecute those who commit these types of crimes. With the help of our friends, this individual will be going to court and paying a fine due to his repeated actions.”