A sad rash of thefts of campaign signs

We have lived in Mount Prospect for over 40 years but have never run into the problem we are recently experiencing.

Politically, we characterize ourselves as independent voters. Thus, we have supported men or women we have felt were best qualified to fill the office regardless of party.

Sometimes it was a matter of deciding an issue such as should the library expansion be approved or do we want to operate the community under the ward system.

Our practice has been to publicly show, along with other residents, our support for candidates and issues with yard signs.

In this election, Sen. Obama is our choice for president. We bought signs for ourselves and neighbors, which were placed along HiLusi Avenue and nearby.

It was only a couple of days before the signs began to disappear.

This usually happened in the early evening although several vanished in broad daylight. Replacement signs continue to be taken.

We attribute this to kids, so parents must be alert to their behavior. It may even be that some adult is responsible.

So far,14 signs were stolen. The police were alerted and have been patrolling the area.

We now take our sign in at dusk and recommend that others do the same.

What a sick situation when freedom of speech is denied whether by prank or by intolerant individuals.

The guilty should be aware that their action is considered theft under village ordinance 23.

David and Rachel Toeppen

Mount Prospect