Well, someone stole my yard signs today

[Bettie]

or last night.

They had to climb up a hill to get to them on our front yard.

I guess I need a webcam, Vaseline and glitter when I replace them. Maybe some cayenne pepper mixed in the glitter.

It would never occur to me to steal someone's sign, no matter how much I disagree with them.

I live in a red town. There are about four homes with Harris signs up. Well, three now and I haven't checked the other property we own yet today.

Dickheads abound, apparently.

[GreenWave]

1. I hope you nail them.

My bet is on GOP teenagers.

[Tadpole Raisin]

2. Is there some way to install a motion sensor light or alarm?

What would really be nice is when the light came on a voice says ‘smile for the camera.’

Let the jerk run home and sweat waiting for the cops to show up.

[TommyT139]

4. In a red town, would cops care?

We better get used to taking care of ourselves.

[Bettie]

5. The police here are pretty useless

they take a report and you never hear from them again.

It may have happened this morning, my dog was freaking out earlier at the front window and I found one of the two signs at the bottom of the yard, but the retaining wall. Mr. Ronan may have scared them....he's a 100 pound Pyrenees and very protective when I'm home alone.

[TommyT139]

3. Poison ivy oil

[debm55]

6. I haven't heard of that one before, Sounds good

[TommyT139]

12. It's the sticky resin

...(so my calling it "oil" was incorrect) -- the resin is on the leaves, stems, and roots, especially in fall (thanks Wikipedia!). Thinking more about the practicalities, it might be tough to get the kind of coverage that would be a hindrance to thieves. Perhaps a strong pepper or bear spray would be simpler to apply, without tipping off the thugs by smelling too much.

Of course, be sure your family pet is unable to investigate whatever smells are associated with the secured signage.

[Bettie]

7. Where do you get that?

On the internet, someone suggested deer bait...which is apparently very stinky. I bet that is available in the hardware store this time of year.

[Ferrets are Cool]

11. Fox urine is very stinky and easily attainable.

[dutch777]

8. If it is well onto your property, electrify them. Funny video on TilTok of someone trying to steal an electrified sign.

...although it is a Trump sign so must have been one of us. Just make sure it is well out of the right of way that someone is clearly on your property when they get zapped.

[lindysalsagal]

9. Thanks for trying!

[Initech]

10. Last night, some asshole put a sign for a school board candidate who I do not support very close to my house.

And yes, I've talked about this Shit For Brains MAGA psycho conspiracy theory queen before multiple times here. To see a campaign sign for her like that right next to my house is absolutely infuriating me to no end.

Since I was told that I can't remove it, I'm seriously thinking of putting up my own sign with my definition of what "parental rights" really is - it's coded incitement for batshit Fox addicted psychos to harass educators for not kowtowing to Rupert Murdoch's fascist agenda and doing the dirty work of the billionaire criminal class for free. In the words of Animal House - don't get mad, get even!

[rurallib]

13. Why can't you remove it? Is it on your property?

Not worth getting into trouble over.

As my former congress guy told me over and over - signs can't vote!

[Initech]

15. I don't know, trying to figure that out.

If I could remove it, I definitely would.

[TommyT139]

14. Play the angles?

Is there a vantage point where many people would see the sign, behind which (on your property) you could add a sign to indicate your distinct lack of support for the rethugs?

At the very least, that could prompt the person to relocate their sign further away.

[Persondem]

17. Put a sign right next to it that says ..... with an arrow pointing to the other sign.

Jan. 6 Traitor >>>>>>
Or
Wears Tin Foil Hats >>>>>>

I have repurposed old political signs by spray painting over them and them writing on them with a big old sharpie.

[Initech]

18. We're definitely planning to put up a banner for the opposing candidate this weekend!

And maybe also a camera to catch the sign thieves in this neighborhood.

[Persondem]

16. You can use these U shaped stakes that are made for securing trampolines to the ground.

You can also use something like Gorilla glue to glue the sign to the frame. Neither are guarantees, but they do make it way harder to remove the sign. If it's a polybag sign, be sure to staple the bag next to the frame on either side to keep it from being ripped off the frame.

[Bettie]

21. I just realized we have

twelve inch long forged iron tent stakes that are hard to get out if you don't know the "trick" and we can fasten the signs down with those.

Having a husband who is a blacksmith is useful.

[themaguffin]

19. put some traps in the yard and cover them with leaves.

[niyad]

20. One of our DU members apparently glued rose thorns all around their sign.

[Give Peace A Chance]

22. Motion-sensor Sprinklers

Work well also.

[Xavier Breath]

23. In fairness, if they had to climb a hill to get the signs then that would rule out most Trump supporters.

[usonian]

24. Easier. Just post a notice.

https://democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=19538193. (repost)

This sign is coated with nerve toxins. (not)
Now that you touched it call the prayer line.
888-388-2683.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” —Psalm 46:1
But he can't reverse the toxins. Wishing you pleasant last rites.

[3catwoman3]

28. Oh, that is brilliant!

I would add, "There is no know antidote."

Has anyone actually put up such a warning?

[usonian]

29. Only my mad scientist mind could come up with that, that I know of.

I was “inspired” by the watermelon joke.

A farmer had a watermelon patch, and people were stealing them.

So he put up a sign in his watermelon patch that said, ‘One of these melons is poisoned.’

He went to bed and got up the next morning, and sure enough nobody had stolen a watermelon. Everything was the same, except the sign had been changed. It now read, ‘Two of these watermelons are poisoned.'”

NO POISONS OR TOXINS ARE CONDONED!
Only the threat.
Peace 🪷

[Jersey Devil]

25. Traps are a very bad idea

You cannot physically injure someone for trespassing on your property or stealing your signs. If you do they can sue you and you will lose. Do NOT put out things like poison ivy or razor blades in your signs.

[CrispyQ]

26. That's just mean.

Hubby brings ours in at night & I put them out in the morning. Maybe your local dem headquarters can give you a replacement?

[Bettie]

31. I'm the secretary of our local party

so I have a supply on hand for people who want them, so I was able to replace it...and delivered two more to local Dems today.

We're here, we're just not the majority here in our little area. I hope the people in the cities turn out in force as well as us rural Dems.

We may not win Iowa, but we can make our voices heard. In 2022, so many IA Dems stayed home.

[Beachnutt]

27. Need big helium balloons that

have Harris/Walz on them and fly them like a kite from your roof top

[Warpy]

30. Tablespoon of cayenne pepper

or a whole habanero pepper, water, few drops of dish soap in a blender. Paint the edges of the sign with the resulting mixture. I guarantee you he will reconsider his Christian soldier vandalism career the next time he takes a leak.

Even if he's wearing gloves, he is likely to touch the fingers and palms of them when he removes them.

This isn't usually kids, by the way. When cops have busted any of these guys, it's been because the back of the pickup truck is full and the load hasn't been tied down or covered by a tarp, triggering a traffic stop. The sign thieves who have gotten writeups in the paper (and there are only a few of those) have been white, male, married, and over 40.

The hot pepper won't do any physical damage, at all. It will just feel very nasty if he rubs his eyes, picks his nose, or takes a leak.

[Oopsie Daisy]

32. Black axle grease. Or "anti-climb" paint.

Basically it’s a thick and oily paint that never dries so it can be applied to a surface to prevent someone from climbing it and it’ll leave a mark on their hands, clothing, etc.