Verde Valley Residents Rally Against Rise in Sign Thefts

The run-up to the 2024 general election in Verde Valley has seen a significant increase in reports of damaged or stolen political signs. Concerns about escalating vandalism are evident as candidates and local officials observe the emotional responses from supporters.

“I think it’s because they just get so worked up by their emotions regarding a particular candidate or issue, and they just get angry and they take it out on signs,” stated Yavapai County School Superintendent-elect Steve King (R). He noted that he does not believe the incidents are part of an organized effort, but rather reactions stemming from strong feelings.

King himself reported an incident on July 4 to the Prescott Police Department involving Steven Woods, the husband of his rival candidate, Kara Woods, who allegedly removed one of King’s signs. Arizona law defines the removal or defacement of political signs as a class 2 misdemeanor under Revised Statute §16-1019.

However, King’s signs are not the only victims. Numerous cases of theft and vandalism have been reported across various locations, though not all have been brought to law enforcement attention. Key incidents in Sedona include:

• June 11: Damage to a political sign for Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor Donna Michaels (D), with reported damage costing $400.
• Multiple thefts of signs tied to various candidates throughout September and October, including instances of criminal damage and theft of signs for candidates such as Kari Lake and Kamala Harris.

Cottonwood has also seen a spate of reported sign issues. Candidate Nikki Check (D) mentioned having to replace around 20 signs that had either been vandalized or removed altogether. Reports of stolen signs and instances of intimidation while placing campaign materials have been on the rise.

In Clarkdale, both Democratic and Republican campaign signs have gone missing or been damaged, prompting local authorities to increase patrols. Residents have expressed frustration over the lack of leads in these cases.

The situation is similarly severe in Jerome, with frequent reports of theft and damage. Several incidents involved suspects captured on camera but without identifiable details, complicating potential investigations.

Efforts to quantify these incidents in Yavapai County have faced challenges. Local law enforcement noted that their computer systems don’t provide specific coding for political sign theft, making it difficult to compile a comprehensive list. “We would have to literally go back and read every criminal damage report,” said Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office representative Kristin Greene.

As the election approaches, candidates and their supporters continue to navigate the volatile atmosphere surrounding political messaging in the Verde Valley. The emotional charge of this electoral season is evident, as acts of vandalism disrupt typical campaign practices.