Election Signs For Incumbent School Board Members Disappearing As Election Approaches

BETHEL PARK (KDKA) -- The election for the Bethel Park school board is May 21, and police say it's just the incumbents' signs that are being stolen.

A school board member running for re-election, is discouraged.

"I feel like somebody's trying to steal the election by stealing our signs," Bethel Park school board member Jim Means said.

Means is one of the four current school board members running for re-election. When he found out two signs were stolen from his property, he wasn't too happy.

"Those signs are very expensive. We paid $800 for 250 signs. Because of that, we've had to order 100 more," Means said.

Police said hundreds of dollars' worth of signs have been stolen from residents properties all around the township. If the price jumps to $2,000, the police chief says, that's considered a felony.

"Only one list of candidate's signs is being stolen. The other one's not targeted. So it looks like it's an attempt from somebody to influence the election," Bethel Park Police Chief Timothy O'Connor said.

O'Connor believes the thefts are happening at night.

"Beyond the monetary loss, it's the fact that there's somebody out there trespassing on people's property," O'Connor said.

But what's bothering the chief the most is the fact that Memorial Day is right around the corner.

"We have Memorial Day coming up, and this is my point, is we've had our brave servicemen die to preserve our rights as Americans, including the right to vote, and whoever is doing this, I find that despicable and we're going to put them in jail," O'Connor said.

O'Connor couldn't comment on if they're reviewing surveillance video or have any leads.

He is asking the public to call police if they've seen or heard anything.

Anyone with information can report anonymously at (412) 851-2773 or email us them at crimewatch@bethelpark.net.