It was discovered on August 26 in the Village of Antwerp that the previous night there was a campaign sign vandalized. Antwerp police were contacted, and Police Chief George Clemens stated that this would be considered Criminal Damaging according to the ORC.
“2909.06 Criminal damaging or endangering. (A) No person shall cause, or create a substantial risk of physical harm to any property of another without the other person’s consent: (1) Knowingly, by any means: (2) Recklessly, by means of fire, explosion, flood, poison gas, poison, radioactive material, caustic or corrosive material, or other inherently dangerous agency or substance. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of criminal damaging or endangering, a misdemeanor of the second degree. If a violation of this section creates a risk of physical harm to any person, criminal damaging or endangering is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the property involved in a violation of this section is an aircraft, an aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, spare part, or any other equipment or implement used or intended to be used in the operation of an aircraft and if the violation creates a risk of physical harm to any person, criminal damaging or endangering is a felony of the fifth degree. If the property involved in a violation of this section is an aircraft, an aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, spare part, or any other equipment or implement used or intended to be used in the operation of an aircraft and if the violation creates a substantial risk of physical harm to any person or if the property involved in a violation of this section is an occupied aircraft, criminal damaging or endangering is a felony of the fourth degree.”
Later in the week, another sign was reported vandalized in the Payne area. Resident, Jerry Zielke, who found the damaged sign stated, “I do not condone ANY signs being damaged!”
According the Ohio Revised Code, vandalism can also be considered criminal mischief:
“2909.07 Criminal mischief. (A) No person shall: (1) Without privilege to do so, knowingly move, deface, damage, destroy, or otherwise improperly tamper with the either of the following: (a) The property of another” Criminal mischief is punishable as a third degree misdemeanor.”
You do not need to break the law to express your political views or your disagreement with someone else’s views. Voice your own opinions and ideas with your own signs.
Political messages that are placed in private yards are that person’s views and property. Instead of defacing or removing other people’s right to freedom of speech, you can use YOUR property to display YOUR message. Be sure to treat people as you would want to be treated no matter your views.
It was discovered on August 26 in the Village of Antwerp that the previous night there was a campaign sign vandalized. Antwerp police were contacted, and Police Chief George Clemens stated that this would be considered Criminal Damaging according to the ORC.
“2909.06 Criminal damaging or endangering. (A) No person shall cause, or create a substantial risk of physical harm to any property of another without the other person’s consent: (1) Knowingly, by any means: (2) Recklessly, by means of fire, explosion, flood, poison gas, poison, radioactive material, caustic or corrosive material, or other inherently dangerous agency or substance. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of criminal damaging or endangering, a misdemeanor of the second degree. If a violation of this section creates a risk of physical harm to any person, criminal damaging or endangering is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the property involved in a violation of this section is an aircraft, an aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, spare part, or any other equipment or implement used or intended to be used in the operation of an aircraft and if the violation creates a risk of physical harm to any person, criminal damaging or endangering is a felony of the fifth degree. If the property involved in a violation of this section is an aircraft, an aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, spare part, or any other equipment or implement used or intended to be used in the operation of an aircraft and if the violation creates a substantial risk of physical harm to any person or if the property involved in a violation of this section is an occupied aircraft, criminal damaging or endangering is a felony of the fourth degree.”
Later in the week, another sign was reported vandalized in the Payne area. Resident, Jerry Zielke, who found the damaged sign stated, “I do not condone ANY signs being damaged!”
According the Ohio Revised Code, vandalism can also be considered criminal mischief:
“2909.07 Criminal mischief. (A) No person shall: (1) Without privilege to do so, knowingly move, deface, damage, destroy, or otherwise improperly tamper with the either of the following: (a) The property of another” Criminal mischief is punishable as a third degree misdemeanor.”
You do not need to break the law to express your political views or your disagreement with someone else’s views. Voice your own opinions and ideas with your own signs.
Political messages that are placed in private yards are that person’s views and property. Instead of defacing or removing other people’s right to freedom of speech, you can use YOUR property to display YOUR message. Be sure to treat people as you would want to be treated no matter your views.
If you are in need of items to express your views, call West Bend Printing today at 419-258-2000. All of your First Amendment resources are available there.
