Sept. 20 – Public reaction to political campaign signs on lawns has raised concerns in Otsego County in recent weeks.
On Monday, September 16, the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement reminding residents that “stealing or vandalizing political campaign signs is a criminal offense.”
“The Sheriff’s Office has received multiple complaints of damaged and stolen political campaign signs throughout the county,” the statement said. “Removing, altering or defacing political signs is a crime under New York State Penal Code. We have the right to disagree with someone’s views, but we do not have the right to steal or damage someone else’s property.”
The Daily Star asked if there was a specific incident that prompted the statement, but representatives from the sheriff’s office had not responded by the time this article went to press on Friday.
Otsego County resident Amber Hill sent The Daily Star screenshots of a Facebook conversation about political signs on Hartwick City Council member Bryan LoRusso’s personal page on Tuesday, Sept. 17, which she said amounted to voter intimidation.
“I can already see Harris signs going up! Remember them when we (what LoRusso misspelled) lose our country!!! You can pay them back later!!!” LoRusso’s Facebook post read.
LoRusso’s post continued to gain traction, with one person saying she would take photos of the signs and note their locations.
“I will post the addresses (which LoRusso misspelled)!!!” LoRusso responded.
When contacted by The Daily Star via email, LoRusso responded that he would not be available but that he did not appreciate “the undertone of an attempt to undermine my First Amendment rights.”
“My statement was directed at those who do not support President Trump,” he said via email, “and the simple fact that those of us who hold a different vision for the United States should remember those supporters and send thank you cards if President Trump is not elected and our great nation fails.”
“I will also note that while I am a (Second Amendment) supporter, that should not be held against me by those who suspect the worst. This particular debate with political signs is just plain stupid. Instead of worrying about what I post in my spare time, on my personal Facebook page, why don’t you focus on real news in the city of Hartwick?” he said.
LoRusso cited topics he felt were most newsworthy, including the number of municipal highway supervisors in recent years, the challenge that arose when the municipal supervisor was forced to leave mid-term and the divided vote in the City Council to appoint a new candidate for the term through December 2025.
Political lawn signs, according to the State of New York Election of Enforcement website, are protected by the free speech provisions of the United States and New York State constitutions. However, local governments can adopt regulations that apply to all signs in their municipalities.
According to the website, private landowners have more freedom regarding political signs on their own property. Any complaints about political signs can be filed with the municipality where the sign is located.
As for social media and political lawn signs, individuals and the social media platform itself can censor an individual and government actors, including politicians, the website said. If a social media account page is considered an official account for a politician or political committee, the account holder may not exclude dissenting views, the website said.
The website states that no one should tolerate offensive, inappropriate or threatening content on social media.
Kathleen Gasperini, staff writer, can be reached at kgasperini@thedailystar.com or 607-441-7206.
