Someone is stealing Oxford Township Supervisor Bill Dunn’s campaign signs.
Dunn filed a report with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department on July 13 stating that between 15 and 20 of his blue-and-white colored re-election signs were stolen ‘from businesses and private property throughout Oxford Township? by an ‘unknown person(s).?
‘I’m angry,? the supervisor said. ‘I paid for those signs with my own money and money from people who believe in me.?
The signs cost Dunn approximately $4.50 each, putting the value of those stolen at about $68 to $90.
‘But it’s not just the money. The main thing is the principle,? Dunn said. ‘Obviously, somebody doesn’t care about that or about the law. Really, it’s more childish than anything else.?
According to state election law, ‘stealing campaign yard signs? is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
The supervisor noted that two of his signs were stolen in front of Collier Lanes, which gave him permission to place them on the property.
‘It’s funny, the ?(Patti) Durr for Clerk? signs right next to them weren’t touched, but mine were gone,? Dunn said. ‘I’m not a paranoid person, but it looks like somebody is targeting me.?
The signs in front of Collier Lanes have since been replaced.
Locations of other Dunn sign thefts include ? the intersection of Ray and N. Oxford roads; the intersection of Thomas Road and M-24; Lakeville Road near the entrances of the Lake Villa Manufactured Home Park, M-24 immediately north of the village; M-24 just south of Drahner; and a couple of private residences
Dunn said he has his suspicions about who’s stealing his signs, but ‘I don’t want to make any accusations without any evidence to back them up.?
The supervisor is particularly upset because he purchased 125 signs in total and these thefts represent a significant portion of them. ‘This is a big township. I can’t afford to lose anymore,? Dunn said.
‘I know this is naive, but I would hope whoever took them would have the decency to return them, no questions asked. I know that probably won’t happen, but I like to believe the best about people.?
According to Oakland County Sheriff’s Lt. Al Whitefield, commander of the Oxford Township substation, no other campaign sign thefts have been reported by other candidates in the township.
Oxford Village Police Chief Mike Neymanowski said no complaints regarding campaign sign thefts have been filed with his department.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Sgt. Glenn Walker said no sign thefts have been reported in Addison Township.