Political signs being damaged in Abbeville

Someone is vandalizing campaign signs in Abbeville, an act Police Chief Tony Hardy said will not be tolerated.
The incidents are occurring in District D. There is a three-person race in that district, including incumbent Councilman Wayne Landry, as well as challengers Kamesha Scott and Marilyn Mitchell. The election is scheduled for April 5.
“I received a call from a family member of one of the candidates,” Hardy said. “Someone is pulling the signs out of people’s yards. They are tearing the signs up after they pull them from the yards.
“Not only is it disrespectful, these signs cost too much money.”
Most importantly, Hardy said that the act is simply illegal.
“It’s criminal damage to property,” Hardy said of the charges the alleged suspect could face. “That property does not belong to them. If we catch you, we are going to prosecute you.
“It doesn’t matter who they are.”
Hardy said he planned to speak with each candidate. Scott and Landry both said Monday morning that signs have been taken from their respective campaigns. Mitchell said she has not yet put up signs.
“I just wish it would stop,” Scott said of the missing signs. “They are not cheap.”
Scott said her campaign ordered 200 signs at a range of $3 to $6 apiece. She said Monday morning that she did not have an exact number of signs missing.
“It all adds up,” Scott said.
Landry said he also did not have an exact total of his missing signs.
“I know there are places where I put them and they are not there anymore,” Landry said. “It’s about a dozen.”
Landry, who has held the District D seat since 2008, said taking signs is a tactic he would never endorse.
“I ask that people do not take the signs,” Landry said. “We are not into that and want to run a clean race.”
Scott, who is running her first campaign for public office, said seeing her signs removed is frustrating.
“There is no need for it,” Scott said.
Mitchell has not yet placed signs, something she previously planned to do later this week. She said the news of missing signs will not deter her.
“No, absolutely not,” Mitchell said. “I just wonder why somebody would want to take someone else’s signs?”
Again, for whatever the reason, Hardy said if someone is caught taking a political sign, he or she will be prosecuted. Anyone who witnesses a sign being taken can contact the Abbeville Police at 893-2511.
“We will have some heavy patrol,” Hardy said. “If that person is caught, charges will be filed.”