VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Yard signs for Virginia Beach candidates running for state office were vandalized recently, with portions of the candidates' names cut out.
Two of the signs promote the campaigns of Aaron Rouse (D), candidate for state senate, and Michael Feggans (D), candidate for state delegate. Photos taken by News 3 of the signs show just the last names cut out of the yard signs.
The Virginia Beach Police Department told News 3's John Hood Monday morning they were not aware of the vandalization but are looking into it.
"Usually, these types of crimes will fall under the destruction of private property," said Jude Brenya with the Virginia Beach Police Public Affairs Office. "Anything under $1,000 will be a class one misdemeanor."
However because the signs are placed on the corner of Princess Anne Rd. and Providence Rd. it maybe a gray area since its a public right of way.
One resident driving by the signs on Monday said she's never seen anything like this before.
"It's absolutely absurd," Tameka, a neighbor, said. "I cannot believe it.
Neighbors like Denise Payne said she noticed something was up with the signs about a week ago but thought the names had just been marked out with a sharpie.
"I think that's terrible," Payne said. "I think everybody has the right to at least advertise who they are, what they represent, and what they stand for. That's not good at all."
Both candidates said while they're disappointed right now but they're focused on just finishing their campaigns.
“While it’s a shame some opposed to our campaigns feel the need to do something like this, we are focused on the task at hand: knocking on doors and getting out the vote to ensure Virginia Beach has representatives that support a woman’s right to choose, common sense gun legislation that can keep our community safe, and take care of our veterans.”
We’re focused on closing the final days of this election running a positive campaign and turning out Virginia Beach voters in support of Sen. Rouse ahead of Election Day.
Damaged or not, all campaign signs in the Resort City must be removed 24 hours after Election Day.
