As usual, you're insulting our intelligence with your Republo-spin.  I just drove around Arlington yesterday, and Webb signs are down everywhere. Miller signs "miraculously" seem to stay in place.  Hey Sherlock, what could this mean?!?

I drove along 123 in Oakton today and there are a lot of wire supports for signs, but without the signs. I think that's an indicator that they were ripped down.

I've seen the same thing in a few spots - but I've also seen a number of signs still standing nearby in some cases.  So I've been thinking that the thieves steal the whole thing - yank the sign and supports all at once.  And when there are only supports it's more likely that wind, elements, or air pressure from passing cars has removed the signs.

Anyone have any strong theories either way?  Is there evidence that sign thieves just pull the sign and leave the support? 

I'm not saying there isn't a problem since there are clearly many thieves at work.  Just curious about what been observed about this behavior.

way for many thieves to remove signs is to leave the wire and pull off the sleeve.  The wind doesn't do this that I have ever seen.

Yesterday, driving on Derbyshire Road in the West End of Richmond, I watched a woman get out of her car, walk up to two Miller signs, slide the sleeves off, and calmly get back in her car and drive away. 

Oh wait, that couldn't have happened, could it?  Webb supporters don't engage in this kind of behavior.  Only Allen & Miller supporter do.  My bad.

...you have not explained the fact that Webb signs have been overwhelmingly and disproportionately targeted.  Just yesterday, I replaced 2 stolen Webb signs and within an hour, they were gone again.  I should have staked out the location, but it was broad daylight on a busy street in Arlington, and I figured the signs would at least make it until nightfall.  Nope.  Gone.  The only question?  Who's doing this, Allen people, Miller people, or both?  It's obviously a concerted effort, given how many - thousands - of Webb signs have disappeared.  Yet most Miller signs remain, miraculously, in place.  Hmmmm.

ROFL!

Ok, sparky, whatever you say.

is just as wrong as any other sign that is stolen or destroyed, be it Webb's, Kerry's, Bush's, or any other.

That's a burby little street, and it was pretty bold of the woman since it was highyly unlikely that she expected not to be observed.

And sure enough she was observed, by IP who could have easily obtained her license number and reported the crime to the police, but chose not to do so.

Of course, I could eat those words.  We have a few signs and they are scattered over a span of 70 miles or so in four counties and two cities.  Most of them would be extremely easy to steal.

There are many committed life-long Republicans and Allen supporters in this region. No one is stealing our signs.

It's something to think about.

a only a few people takin down signs in Fauquier.  My guess is thy are just independent GOP hoolagans.  There are locations (certain neighborhoods and junctions) that are chronically hit by these people.  Others places are left alone.  This behavior dates back to the Kerry Edwards elections and the Kaine Kilgore elections, when only democrat signs disappeared at a rate of 15 -1.
  The effect is the same.  There is little to indicate an upcoming election,so the incumbant benefits.

I would be curious to hear other people's account of what is happening where they live.

At first, Allen people would take down both Miller and Webb signs, but they must have been caught, because I haven't seen any disappearances in the last 2 weeks.  Or maybe Republicans are just getting too rare in NoVA.

But downstate, I've heard it's much worse.

On private property these signs are clearly within the property owner's rights to put up, take down, whatever they like unless they have covenants or easements covering such signs (as in the case for some HOA/POA rules).

People damaging anything on private property face action in civil court if they are caught.

Does anyone know the real sections of code (state or county/city) that cover the placement of these signs on public property, specifically VDOT road-sides?

I have been told by some that it is fine, so long as the sign does not present a safety hazard, by others that it is illegal, and by still others that it is only allowed with a permit (and all permits are temporary).

Does anyone know where to find the real legal code so we know for sure?

Also, about the signs on public property...  I have seen the VDOT mowing crews take down ALL signs when they need to mow.  They hate having to do this as it slows them down, and they particularly hate running into the left over wire frames for such signs when the sign has been removed... they often cannot see the wires (which eventually fall over and become mudd-brown) and they run over them with their mowers and trimmers causing damage and potentially injuring people.

I make it a point after an election to pick up all the signs from both parties that I can because those annoying wire frames are worth money, and to help the VDOT guys out.

I noticed that it is pretty common in my area for other people to grab just the Republican sign covers, and leave the Democrat (and 3rd party) signs, and ALL wire frames.  I find this apalling, as it does the most damage to VDOT mowers and is the most wasteful behavior.  I also noticed that many sign covers from both parties would frequently be pulled off the wire frame and discarded nearby - and I don't believe it is wind in all those cases.

It's sad that the elections get this ugly, but it is a fact.  I really think it would be a public service to all to have the government actually put up well lit signs with details on when the election is and allow one sign from each candidate under the election date sign - side by side for comparison.

I'd love to know the real rules as I have put signs up in the past and wonder if I am breaking the law.

It's amazing really.  Webb is so strong, and poses such a real threat to Allen if he wins Tuesday, that people are moved to get red spray paint and vandalize a sign.
Really irritating, but telling as well.

threatened Miller supporters.
My feeling is they are taking down Webb ones when putting up the Miller ones...
Who knows.  Allen and Miller = Republican actions through and through

...taking an active roll (like stealing signs), if there were some they would have shown up in greater numbers for at least some of the events where both candidates appeared (every one that I attended there seemed to be very few Miller fans).

There just aren't that many people supporting Miller openly out here.

Allen and the GOP are fairly strong out here and very visible.

the vandals did a poor job.  I'd bet that they were pressed for time at rush hour.  Which may also explain why they didn't steal it.

But this goes beyond just tearing up signs since they vandalized someone's property. 

in broad daylight between 4-6pm on a busy road.

Warrenton, Virginia

Yes, we drove by this very spot on Friday Night and it was in this shape.  It is just VERY, VERY, VERY bad manners.

Maybe they are folks who just don't know to keep off PRIVATE PROPERTY and also the rules of the game, don't TOUCH or HARM in any way another person's campaign signs.

The RED SPRAY PAINT is very significant and this is HORSE COUNTRY, with A LOT OF ALLEN folks living and driving around.  W04 stickers are everywhere. 

This same area was loaded with ALLEN signs recently, ALL GONE now, but so are all the WEBB signs except for this one. 

In the past it was heavily loaded with KILGORE and KAINE signs.  Really a battleground area off 66 and Rt 17.  The Great Meadow is close by and a lot of folks come in for Polo and Horse Races---that are often on the venues.

My guess, misguided Allen folks (THE RED PAINT IS THE TIPPING POINT FOR ME). Very sad day in politics.
kc

"What part of ILLEGAL don't you people understand?"

Both Webb and Miller signs have remained unaltered the past two weeks along the routes I drive in Reston and Great Falls areas.  I think we've gone solid blue around here.

This sign and another out this way, survived the weekend without any further damage.

And miraculously, an unknown sign fairy put up even more -

They are having babies.