Fairfax Resident Not the Only Person Stealing Political Signs

Although Fairfax resident Rick Holland was cited by police Wednesday afternoon for removing campaign signs on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard near the empty Albertson's, he's not the only one who uses the election season to become a devoted street cleaner.

"It's part of the game," said Holland, arguing that every time he's run for office thousands of dollars worth of his signs have also been stolen.

According to Srgt. Stuart Baker, Holland is the only person who has been cited for the theft of political signs, but with many signs being stolen in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 2 election the investigation is still ongoing.

Holland was cited, Baker said, because he was caught in the act of removing a Joseph Salama for Marin Healthcare District sign and a Measure T sign – upon which a Peter Lacques for Water District sign had been attached. Around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, an officer saw Holland removing the signs from near the empty Alberton's and took a number of photos of him doing so. The candidates were then contacted and requested prosecution.

Holland could face a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail.

Because the signs were on public property, Holland said he had the right to remove them. Per a town ordinance, political signs are not allowed to be placed on public property.

"I did a public service by removing a public nuisance," said Holland. "The town isn't enforcing its own ordinance."

But, Baker said that residents should contact the police to remove signs on public property.

"Anytime anyone leaves some personal property of value and another person takes it without permission, that can be theft," said Baker, giving the example of someone taking money from a wallet that was dropped on the street.

Holland's sense of civic duty in cleaning up the signs, however, did not extend to all political signs that have been covering street corners and medians.

"I've targeted my political opponents," said Holland. This included signs for Measure T, for the challengers to the healthcare district board, and Frank Eggers – who is running for the water district board.

"I would not wish any political body in Marin to put up with [Egger's] antics," said Holland.

The citation will be prosecuted in court and Holland intends to contest it.

Holland also announced today that he is running a "write-in" campaign for "anything." He will be posting campaign signs at town hall in Fairfax and will be "vigilant to make sure that Fairfax complies with its sign ordinance," he said.

In the last few days before the election, Baker said that people have the right to remove signs that are placed on their private property. But, if signs are place on public property, then residents should call the police department.