LOWER POTTSGROVE >> So far, Jeff Richardson has spent $255 to show his support for Donald Trump, but he might not be done yet.
Richardson, who lives on Kauffman Road, has just had to order his third $85 yard sign announcing his support for the Republican candidate’s campaign.
The first sign was stolen within 48 hours of being posted.
The second sign he put up was knocked down after a few days and then slashed with a knife after he put it back up again.
“I’m an American, I believe in the political process,” said Richardson, a longtime Republican.
“I’m disappointed people can’t be adult about this. If you support someone else, put up your sign,” said Richardson. “But I’m disappointed people think that disagreeing with me gives them the right to come on to my property and destroy my property.”
He has reported both incidents to the police.
An informal survey of local police chiefs revealed they have not yet received any reports of campaign sign theft or vandalism – but they expect to.
“It’s a little early yet,” said North Coventry Police Chief Robert Schurr. “But we have two very strong personalities running for president, so I suspect we’ll see plenty of examples of it once things start hearing up a bit.”
Richardson said he has put signs out for Republican candidates in previous elections, and they were often stolen, but never so early in the political cycle.
“There is an enormous amount of animosity about the election this year,” he said.
In Pennsylvania, a Sept. 1 Franklin & Marshall poll shows former secretary of state Hillary Clinton still leading Trump in the Keystone state, but her lead is eroding.
“Clinton leads Trump 47 percent to 40 percent among likely voters, down from the 49 percent to 38 percent lead the F&M poll showed her holding immediately following the Democratic convention in late July,” according to the poll.
Here in southeastern Pennsylvania – a crucial region in determining the state’s final results – the poll shows the Democrat’s lead is higher – 45 percent to Trump’s 31 percent.
Here in Southeast Pennsylvania cyberspace – The Mercury Facebook page to be exact – readers condemned the vandalism at Richardson’s house.
They also took the opportunity to voice a few political views.
“Clinton signs aren’t being vandalized because no one feels strongly pro-Clinton enough to buy a sign,” posted Hollis Marzario Weston.
But Bob Millar posted that “Hillary signs keep being stolen” in southern Berks County.
“I used to back up to Township Line Road and put out signs supporting Democratic candidates. Frequently the signs would be stolen and replaced with Republican signs,” posted Elizabeth Stolar.
“Why are liberals so violent and destructive?” asked Jason Brown.
“Why does the anti-Trump crowd always seem to be the most violent?” seconded EJ Hein.
“I don’t have a Trump sign on my lawn because I know it’ll be vandalized within 24 hours,” posted Phil Stefany.
“My dog vandalized my Trump sign. True story. Lol! Made me laugh,” posted Shannon Hennessey-Stahl. “I have seen several local stories where signs … mostly Trump’s are being stolen. It is really obnoxious and petty. Free speech and opinion …. unless you support Trump.”
“Everyone has officially gone mad. Tear up all the signs until we get some legit candidates,” wrote Maribeth Vyain. “Or just do as Americans normally do, and ignore the issue, focus on the small irrelevant parts.”
