With primary candidates grumbling that their political signs have been tampered with and vandalized, the V.I. Police Department Monday warned the public Monday that such activity is a crime.
“If you are identified by a police investigation as being involved in this destructive practice, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Assistant Police Commissioner Thomas Hannah said in a news release.
A suspect can be charged with destruction to property and can face incarceration for as long as one year if convicted, police warned.
Several candidates and campaign worker have approached VIPD officers and reported their campaign signs destroyed, defaced or damaged. The police did not identify which candidates complained.
“It takes lot of effort, time and money to get these signs out where the public can see them,” Hannah said. “The destruction of political signs will not likely change the outcome of a political election,” said, adding that the damage “may give sympathy votes to the candidate whose signs have been vandalized."
Hannah asked citizens who see anyone vandalizing signs to call the 911 emergency dispatch center or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477.
