Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover is fed up with sign-stealers and vandals who pilfer and mark up his expensive re-election campaign signs.

He’s sent letters to local police and the county sheriff and has formed a volunteer citizen’s patrol to keep watch for the illegal activities.

Unfortunately, sign wars are common in the weeks leading up to an election.

One of Glover’s challengers, Don Parscal of Brentwood, reported missing signs a few weeks ago. One of Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho’s re-election signs on Stone Valley Road first went missing and then a vandal painted on the replacement sign a big red circle with line through it.

I’m certain that most of the candidates on the June 3 ballot who put up signs has experienced similar problems.

Candidates put up signs as a means for supporters to voice their preferences and they give an impression, right or wrong, of community support. But does anyone pick a candidate based on the number of signs he or she counts on that trip home from work or the grocery store?

Read more for Glover’s letters to police:

Supervisor Federal Glover

May 14, 2008

Police Chief Aaron Baker

Pittsburg Police Department

65 Civic Avenue

Pittsburg, CA 94565

SENT VIA FAX 925-252-4111 & VIA MAIL

Dear Chief Baker,

During the months of April and May to date, my campaign volunteers have worked diligently to post and place my campaign signs in pre-approved locations throughout Pittsburg.

Many of these signs have been stolen and/or vandalized. In fact, we have had to make a second and third order of signs to replace the stolen and vandalized signs. This has cost my campaign thousands of dollars and many hours put in by my hardworking volunteers.

Stealing and/or vandalizing campaign property such as signs is a serious offense. I have asked a team of volunteers to be on “vandalism patrol” to catch these criminals, get their photos and videotape them in the act, if possible.

I would also request that the Pittsburg Police Department conduct a thorough investigation on the stealing and vandalism of my campaign signs - so that we can detain and arrest the person(s) responsible for these unlawful acts.

I would appreciate hearing from you directly about other methods of documenting and reporting these vandals to the Pittsburg Police Department. I can be reached on my cell at 925-202-5001.

I am attaching a copy of one of my signs, as well as a photograph of one of our vandalized sign locations. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Federal Glover

Supervisor, District 5

Federal Glover for Supervisor, Post Office Box 8845, Pittsburg, CA 94565 ID No. 991595

 

Supervisor Federal Glover

May 14, 2008

Police Chief James Hyde

Antioch Police Department

300 “L” Street

Antioch, CA 94509

SENT VIA FAX 925-779-6905 & VIA MAIL

Dear Chief Hyde,

During the months of April and May to date, my campaign volunteers have worked diligently to post and place my campaign signs in pre-approved locations throughout Antioch.

Many of these signs have been stolen and/or vandalized. In fact, we have had to make a second and third order of signs to replace the stolen and vandalized signs. This has cost my campaign thousands of dollars and many hours put in by my hardworking volunteers.

Stealing and/or vandalizing campaign property such as signs is a serious offense. I have asked a team of volunteers to be on “vandalism patrol” to catch these criminals, get their photos and videotape them in the act, if possible.

I would also request that the Antioch Police Department conduct a thorough investigation on the stealing and vandalism of my campaign signs - so that we can detain and arrest the person(s) responsible for these unlawful acts.

I would appreciate hearing from you directly about other methods of documenting and reporting these vandals to the Antioch Police Department. I can be reached on my cell at 925-202-5001.

I am attaching a copy of one of my signs, as well as a photograph of one of our vandalized sign locations. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Federal Glover

Supervisor, District 5

Federal Glover for Supervisor, Post Office Box 8845, Pittsburg, CA 94565 ID No. 99159

 

Supervisor Federal Glover

May 14, 2008

Contra Costa County

Sheriff Warren Rupf

651 Pine Street

Martinez, CA 94553

SENT VIA FAX 925-335-1691 & VIA MAIL

Dear Sheriff Rupf,

During the months of April and May to date, my campaign volunteers have worked diligently to post and place my campaign signs in pre-approved locations Oakley, Bay Point and other unincorporated areas throughout East County.

Many of these signs have been stolen and/or vandalized. In fact, we have had to make a second and third order of signs to replace the stolen and vandalized signs. This has cost my campaign thousands of dollars and many hours put in by my hardworking volunteers.

Stealing and/or vandalizing campaign property such as signs is a serious offense. I have asked a team of volunteers to be on “vandalism patrol” to catch these criminals, get their photos and videotape them in the act, if possible.

I would also request that the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office conduct a thorough investigation on the stealing and vandalism of my campaign signs - so that we can detain and arrest the person(s) responsible for these unlawful acts.

I would appreciate hearing from you directly about other methods of documenting and reporting these vandals to the Sheriff’s Office. I can be reached on my cell at 925-202-5001.

I am attaching a copy of one of my signs, as well as a photograph of one of our vandalized sign locations. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Federal Glover

Supervisor, District 5

Federal Glover for Supervisor, Post Office Box 8845, Pittsburg, CA 94565 ID No. 991595