A Cobourg council candidate says dozens of his campaign signs have been damaged or destroyed as the municipal election campaign continues.
Mark Mills says the signs appear to have been cut with a box cutter or similar tool. He described the damage as criminal vandalism and said replacing signs can add significant costs to a campaign.
The Town of Cobourg and Cobourg Police Service issued a reminder Sept. 16 that removing, damaging or vandalizing election signs can result in criminal charges under the Criminal Code.
The municipality also says election signs are often placed on private property, meaning anyone entering property to illegally tamper with a sign could face a trespassing charge.
Residents who find an unauthorized election sign on their property are being asked to contact the candidate responsible and have it removed. Police are asking anyone who witnesses signs being tampered with to report the incident.
Cobourg’s municipal election voting period begins Oct. 16 and closes Oct. 26.
(Richard Evans)
