Police Find Stolen Yard Signs, Mostly Biden, Black Lives Matter

WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington police have recovered a large number of political yard signs over the last month, mostly signs for Joe Biden's presidential campaign and the Black Lives Matter movement, Chief Joseph Desmond said Monday.

Residents have had their signs stolen all month. On multiple occasions back to Oct. 3, police have been called to the homes of Park Street residents who found the signs dumped in their yards. The frequency of sign thefts has increased as the election has approached, the chief added.

"We have seen a share of both" parties' signs, Desmond said, "but primarily Biden and Black Lives Matter signs. Those seem to be the ones we're getting."

Residents who have had their signs stolen can call the department's business line at 978-658-5071 to get their signs back, Desmond said. The department has already returned some signs.

"We're trying to stress to people that you may think it's a harmless prank, but it's people's property, and you're actually going on their property to steal it," Desmond said. "You're welcome to support your candidate, but do it safely, and certainly don't steal someone else's property."

Desmond said there was no obvious pattern in whose lawns the stolen signs were dumped in.

The department is investigating the sign stealing and plans to charge any perpetrators they find.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.