EASTHAMPTON — It’s happening again.
As next Tuesday’s municipal election approaches, Easthampton Police are investigating reports that campaign signs are being stolen.
“It happens every election season,” Police Chief Robert Alberti said. “It’s not uncommon to get these reports.”
Many lawn signs were stolen during last year’s presidential election — from both sides of the race — and earlier this year, the department investigated when Good Neighbor welcome signs and Black Lives Matter signs were stolen.
Alberti said the department has received several reports for missing municipal campaign signs, but would not say which candidates.
Mayoral candidate Joy E. Winnie said police asked her to report when signs go missing.
“We have been reporting campaign signs missing since the beginning of the campaign,” Winnie said.
She said she hasn’t tracked or followed up with the reports, adding that some may have blown away by the wind.
Mayoral candidate Nicole M. LaChapelle’s campaign released a statement on Facebook.
“We are hearing reports of intimidating behavior and stolen lawn signs around the city,” the statement reads. “We truly hope this is not the case, but if so, this is incredibly disappointing and unacceptable.”
Police are still investigating and Alberti said information will be made public when the investigation is closed.