WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Sign stealing is still running rampant as we hit election season in Whatcom County.
Whatcom Democrats Program Coordinator Gwen Groden says reports of stolen political signs are much higher this year than in the past presidential elections of 2016 and 2020.
Groden says the group has had well over 100 people come in to replace signs, adding that they often say all the signs on their street were stolen. Most of those incidents went unreported to law enforcement.
The Bellingham Police Department and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office have only received a handful of reports of stolen political signs over the past few months. Under Washington state law, political sign stealing is a misdemeanor that is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
The Whatcom County Republican Party did not respond to My Bellingham Now for comment.
Stolen property, including political signs, can be reported to the Bellingham Police Department online at www.cob.org/reporting or by calling the non-emergency dispatch line at (360) 676-6911. If anyone has information regarding political sign thefts, they can provide tips at www.cob.org/tips.
