All political yard signs are considered personal property.
That’s the message from Manitowoc Police Chief Nick Reimer on WOMT’s Be My Guest program yesterday (October 17th).
Reimer explained that signs can’t be placed in a right-of-way, which in this case is between the sidewalk and the curb area.
Reimer also says the signs can be left up for however long because they are considered free speech.
But the city does have some ordinances.
“Certain sizes,” he stated. “You can’t have a massive billboard in your front yard. I don’t know exactly what those limits are but there are definitely some limits to sizes and different things like that.”
There are also consequences if someone takes or ruins a political sign.
Reimer says if it’s stolen, it’s considered theft, and if it’s damaged, that’s criminal damage to property.
“We’ve has a few of those on both sides,” he explained. “I know some people say ‘is it this side of the political realm or the other’ and it’s both sides that end up having some of that happen and certainly we don’t want that to happen.”
Anyone with a damaged or stolen sign can contact Manitowoc Police at 920-686-6500.
