{"id":2387,"date":"2021-07-23T10:02:19","date_gmt":"2021-07-23T15:02:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.supercheapsigns.com\/blog\/?p=2387"},"modified":"2025-04-22T02:17:39","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T07:17:39","slug":"lawn-signs-wont-taken","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.supercheapsigns.com\/blog\/lawn-signs-wont-taken\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Keep Your Yard Sign from Being Stolen?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

During the 2020 election season, tensions were high \u2013 and record numbers of political yard signs<\/a> were stolen and vandalized. And while the act of stealing lawn signs has been around since the yard sign was invented, it\u2019s important that you can keep them displayed proudly on your front lawn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re here to search for advice on electrifying your yard sign<\/a>, unfortunately, we can\u2019t provide those tips. What we can tell you, however, is that there are simple, straightforward ways to ensure that these items stay put. Even though yard signs are cheap<\/a>, people spend considerable time and effort installing them, so campaign yard sign<\/a> thieves shouldn’t just get a free pass. <\/p>\n\n\n

Is Stealing Lawn Signs Illegal? <\/h2>\n\n\n

Absolutely, yes. Theft and vandalism of political signs<\/a> is a crimes, and so is trespassing on private property. Most states consider these misdemeanors, but if multiple signs have been vandalized, these charges can quickly add up. <\/p>\n\n\n

\u201cIs It Illegal to Electrify a Yard Sign?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n

We understand that you don\u2019t want to lose the products you\u2019ve paid for with your hard-earned money. But let\u2019s talk about what you shouldn\u2019t do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Washington, Ray Gilbride<\/a> used copper wire to hook his campaign sign<\/a> up to a non-lethal electric fence. As he explained, \u201cSituational ethics is wrong. Stealing is stealing. You\u2019ve got to go back to the basics: If it\u2019s not yours, don\u2019t touch it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Gilbridge consulted with police to ensure its legality, this situation likely depends on the local jurisdiction (and Super Cheap Signs<\/a> obviously can\u2019t provide you with legal advice).<\/p>\n\n\n

How to Booby Trap a Yard Sign<\/h2>\n\n\n

If you want to avoid potential lawsuits but need to prevent yard sign <\/a>theft, there are plenty of colorful methods that people have employed. Your booby trap needs to be effective but also has to ensure that no one gets hurt. <\/p>\n\n\n

Rub Some Vaseline on It <\/h3>\n\n\n

The internet is filled with references to covering the backs of political signs<\/a> with vaseline and it works well because it\u2019s a substance with a disturbing texture. Some people have gone as far as to suggest using fecal matter as a deterrent, but this is ill-advised. <\/p>\n\n\n

It Needs More Cowbell <\/h3>\n\n\n

After losing four of their lawn signs to thieves<\/a>, a Pennsylvania couple created their own sign out of 4\u2019x8\u2019 sheets of plywood. Two alarms were connected to a tripwire with another silent alarm triggered inside the house when someone walked onto the property. Not to be outdone, a surveillance camera was also installed to catch perpetrators red-handed. <\/p>\n\n\n

Fishing Line <\/h3>\n\n\n

One Indiana resident connected a fishing line<\/a> between his lawn signs and his front porch to keep them from being taken away. He went one step further by adding another thin green string along the ground to trip up thieves. The Indianapolis citizen claimed to be \u201c2-and-0\u201d with his effective and (mostly) harmless method. <\/p>\n\n\n

It Doesn\u2019t Always Work the Way You Think…<\/h3>\n\n\n

In Massachusetts, Arthur Gonsalves placed a black box reading \u201cDanger\u201d on one of his political signs and some colorful wires dangling from it. It seemed harmless enough…until local police treated the \u201cbooby trap\u201d seriously, calling the state bomb squad in to investigate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Mr. Gonsalves told the authorities that it was fashioned from his old stereo system\u2019s equalizer, it probably wasn\u2019t the best way to protect his yard sign<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n

Simpler Ways to Prevent Yard Signs from Being Stolen <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

If you\u2019re handy and clever, we\u2019re sure you can create inventive ways to keep political signs from being stolen. However, most of us could follow these straightforward rules: <\/p>\n\n\n\n