Karen Burnett-Kurie: Illegal to remove political signs without permission

To The Daily Sun,

Threats against local public officials and candidates have happened over the last few years. What happened to the golden rule: treating others as you would like to be treated? 

Our small communities are known for being supportive and collaborative. People come together when there is a community emergency, help others when faced with medical emergencies and contribute to public well-being through public-private collaborations.

In response to bullying and threats a "campaign" was initiated in Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro. So far it has included lawn signs, Facebook posts, and now letters to the editor. The first lawn sign was: “Unite against bullying, hate and threats.” Simple and straight to the point. The second more subtle sign: “Accept, Respect, Understand, Appreciate.” 

Forty signs were placed on people’s lawns, private property with the permission of the owner and in public rights of way. Sadly, most of the signs were taken.

To those who took signs: It is illegal to remove the signs even on public property. New Hampshire law states: “No person shall remove, deface, or knowingly destroy any political advertising which is placed on or affixed to public property or any private property except for removal by the owner of the property, persons authorized by the owner of the property, or a law enforcement officer..." While these signs are not political per se, NH laws related to political signs apply to them.

NH’s attorney general states: “Political ... signs are one of the treasured traditions of New Hampshire. ... They are also a physical expression of people's First Amendment right of free speech. ... Removing, defacing, or destroying signs without consent is a crime, and individuals also may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000.”

This is an appeal to everyone's "better angel" to please stop removing the signs.

Karen Burnett-Kurie

Wolfeboro