QUILCENE — Approximately 50 Ryan McAllister campaign signs have been illegally removed from properties throughout the county in the past two weeks, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
“The sheriff’s department is interested in all leads, including license plates of vehicles seen leaving an area where signs were placed,” said Undersheriff Art Frank.
“Someone saw something. We’re asking for the public’s help with suspect information and a vehicle description. We are taking this seriously.”
Overnight, two more have disappeared, campaign managers said Tuesday.
The value of the signs altogether is more than $500.
McAllister is running for the District 3 county commissioner seat currently held by Kathleen Kler, who is not seeking reelection.
The signs were placed on public rights of way and on private property throughout the district with permission from the owners, said Juliet Parfrey, spokeswoman for the McAllister campaign.
“We’ve been placing signs all throughout March. They were taken mostly from Center Road, Eaglemount Road and (state) Highway 20,” Parfrey said.
”We are replacing them, but frankly we don’t have a lot of money to keep printing signs.”
She said McAllister filed a report with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on Monday.
Frank said that removing campaign signs is a misdemeanor crime and cited RCW 29A.84.040 which states in part, “that a person who removes or defaces lawfully placed political advertising including yard signs or billboards without authorization is guilty of a misdemeanor … The defacement or removal of each item constitutes a separate violation.”
Frank said that no other candidate’s campaign signs have been reported missing.
Those with information are asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 360-385-3831.
________
Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.