|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Campaign signs for Jim Irizarry, a candidate for San Mateo County assessor-county clerk-recorder and chief elections officer, were stolen and vandalized this month in Redwood City, according to a police report and photos provided to the Pulse.
Irizarry is running against San Mateo County Board Supervisor David Canepa in the June 2 primary election for the open seat held by outgoing county assessor Mark Church. Irizarry currently serves as the assistant countywide assessor-county clerk-recorder and assistant chief elections officer.
The first incident was reported April 2, when Irizarry told Redwood City police that a campaign poster outside 793 Marshall St. had been taken between 8 and 11:30 a.m., according to the police report. The report listed the offense as grand theft and said there was no suspect information.
Irizarry told police the poster cost about $500 to create and about $500 to install, according to the report.
In a statement, Irizarry said one campaign sign displayed outside his campaign office was stolen and two signs were vandalized in separate incidents April 2 and April 28. He said the signs were lawfully installed on private property and removed without permission.
“Taking campaign signs from private property is not a prank or a political statement — it is theft,” Irizarry said. “When accompanied by vandalism, it becomes an attempt to silence political expression and intimidate those participating in the democratic process.”
Photos provided to the Pulse show other Irizarry signs at the same Marshall Street location marked with red paint across the candidate’s name and campaign message. Irizarry said the vandalism occurred April 28 and that he planned to file a second police report. He also encouraged anyone with information to contact local authorities.
