By Beverly Hedden, Cottonwood Resident
(October 10, 2020)
Regarding the article in the Cottonwood Journal Extra, ‘Woman arrested for sign theft’, I find this article very disturbing, as sensationalized by the Managing Editor.
First of all, who would even follow, record, and take pictures of a simple, probably impulsive, act that is clearly a misdemeanor? The Felony Theft Threshold for a felony in Arizona is $1,000.
Secondly, this woman has been exposed on social media platforms with addresses, including her small business in Sedona. Why would the Cottonwood Journal Extra sensationalize a small business owner during COVID? Small Business Owners bear the brunt of stress during COVID and using her as an example displays a lack of dignity on your reporting. We are deeply in need of kindness and understanding at this time.
Finally, many of us have had signs removed, even on private property. It’s against the law, but I can’t imagine going to the lengths that the Cottonwood City Council member and the Managing Editor have gone to in order to victimize anyone, especially a struggling, small business owner.
Shame on you.
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4 Comments
She got caught. Please pay you’re fine and move on.
Because of the political overtones of destroying or stealing a sign, it is beyond the pettiness of a small otherwise common act of theft. It is, in effect, an assault on the right of free speech. To call a thief a victim exposes that that the author of that thought is sympathetic to the thief….a sad commentary on the hypocrisy of the Trump stooges out there willing to steal an election and defend the theft by claiming it deserves no press and represents a victimization of the criminal.
Dale Ruff – you should have stopped after the…
Tampering, removing, blocking etc. a campaign sign is a Class 2 Misdemeanor.
16-1019. Political signs; printed materials; tampering; violation;
https://www.azleg.gov/ars/16/01019.htm
Suggest all read it – it is short, and in plain English. If you want to act like a criminal – then take the risk.
A Class 2 misdemeanor crime in Arizona carries a fine of up to $750 and is punishable by up to 4 months in jail.
This is not a joke. Expensive campaign signs have been defaced, torn down, stolen and destroyed. The same thing happened when I with two other gentlemen ran for a “non partisan” public office. There is not such thing as “non partisan” in Sedona.
We lost a 4X8 Trump sign at Soldiers Pass road an SR89A about 2 weeks ago. It was defaced with the word F…. with spray paint. We then reset it so the other side would only show and it was torn down.
There is a $2,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. So if anyone is a little short of cash, and knows who this criminal is – now is your chance.
As far as the lady who was caught breaking the law, the fact that she has a business makes it even more idiotic that she would jeopardize her business and reputation by committing an illegal act.
Actions have consequences.
Friends who have always voted democrat in California are now voting for Trump. They had a large Trump sign in their yard and someone came along and painted the F word at the top. Not to be outdone, my friend wrote “We are (F***)ing votting” (Trump for President).
Thou shalt not steal.