Politics & Government

Recall Yard Sign Thefts Frustrate Troy Residents as Election Looms

As political signs for Recall Janice Daniels and No Troy Recall disappear from yards across Troy, Troy Police Chief Gary Mayer is warning the thefts can have serious consequences.

Representatives from political action committees Recall Janice Daniels and No Troy Recall are reporting the disappearance of numerous political signs from yards across Troy as the Nov. 6 general election – where voters will decide whether to recall Troy Mayor Janice Daniels – draws near.

“We had one that came up missing within an hour after it had been placed," No Troy Recall treasurer Ray Watts said.

"We're trying to bring them in at night and telling people to report the theft to police," Recall Janice Daniels co-founder John Kulesz said.

Find out what's happening in Troywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Troy Police Chief Gary Mayer said taking a yard sign from someone's private property is not only wrong – it's illegal and has consequences.

"It'd be larceny," Mayer said, adding that it's been a problem in Troy before every election. One year, Troy Police arrested a man for stealing "a lot of" political yard signs, he added.

Find out what's happening in Troywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mayer said those caught stealing the signs or possessing stolen signs could face a misdemeanor charge, which can include up to 90 days in jail as well as a fine.

Gone, baby, gone

Though neither Kulesz nor Watts can put an exact number on the signs that have been stolen from their respective groups, they both say it is an ongoing problem.

"We get emails all the time," Kulesz said, adding that one Recall Janice Daniels supporter said her lawn sign has been taken at least 10 times so far. He said another supporter, whose sign also keeps disappearing, makes an additional monetary donation to the group every she gets a new sign, even though the signs are free.

Mayor Daniels, whose phone number is listed as the contact number for the No Troy Recall on the PAC's original application, said she was aware that No Troy Recall signs were being taken.

"It’s the way politics works, unfortunately," Daniels said.

"You do have to spend money on them," Watts said. "They're not free."

Watts said he has even instructed No Troy Recall supporters "not to touch their (Recall Janice Daniels) signs, not to move them an inch."

Who done it?

While supporters on both sides are quick to point fingers at one another for the thefts, the culprit or culprits behind the disappearing signs remain unknown.

Paul Evans, Zoning and Compliance Specialist for the City of Troy, said the city does occasionally remove political yard signs, but only if they are in the right of way or violate the city's temporary sign placement rules (see attached PDF file).

“We certainly don’t want anyone putting up signs that have to be removed," he said, adding that they do not remove compliant signs from public property.

Meanwhile, Kulesz and Watts say the thefts are hampering free speech in Troy.

"Good political discourse requires all views be heard," Kulesz said. "Stealing lawn signs is clearly repressing the free speech of more than 9,000 people."

“I believe if you can’t win on the exchange of ideas, then you probably don’t deserve to win," Watts said.

Where to put your signs

Temporary signs – including garage or home sale signs, political signs and other signage – are allowed in Troy, provided they follow the City of Troy Sign Code, which says:

  1. Signs are allowed on private property, with the property owner’s permission.
  2. Signs cannot be placed within the public right of way, or between the public sidewalk and the road
  3. The total combined area of all temporary signs on any one property shall not exceed 14 square feet.
  4. No temporary sign shall exceed 6 square feet in area.
  5. No sign can be higher than 42 inches.
  6. If there is no sidewalk, place signs at least 20 feet from the edge of the traveled portion of the roadway.
  7. The City will remove improperly placed signs in the public right of way.

To download the entire Troy Sign Code, click here; it is also attached to this article as a PDF file. Please contact the Code Enforcement Department at 248-524-3359 or evanspm@troymi.gov if you have any questions.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here