(WNY News Now) – The Allegany County Democrat Committee and the Allegany County Republican Committee have released a joint statement condemning a recent string of thefts of political lawn signs.
Dozens of Allegany County citizens have experienced recent thefts of political lawn signs from their private property.
One such victim called in NY State Troopers who were able to apprehend the thieves. The kind victim declined to press charges against the underage perpetrators. Another victim, whose property was stolen from her lawn more than once, followed by a blatant and destructive act of vandalism, was told repeatedly by state troopers that the behavior of the thieves and vandals was “stupid” and to get security cameras.
According to Allegany County Sherriff Scott Cicirello, stealing political lawn signs is a crime in New York State — petit larceny — which is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000.00 fine AND a year in jail.
But stealing political lawn signs is also a crime against the United States Constitution, which we all claim to hold dear. Political signs are part of “core political speech” and therefore given the highest level of free speech protection under the First Amendment.
Either you support the First Amendment for everyone, or you forfeit your standing as a defender of free speech.
Either you support the laws of the State of New York, or you forfeit your standing as a defender of the women and men in blue who enforce them.
We urge readers to think carefully about your core values before demeaning yourselves with acts of lawlessness such as trespassing, petit larceny, vandalism, or worse. And we urge readers to remember that video footage captured by security cameras is used as strong evidence in insurance claims and criminal cases.
Karen Ash, Chair – Allegany County Democratic Committee
Fred Demick, Chair – Allegany County Republican Committee
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