Politics & Government

UPDATE: Four Darling Campaign Signs Destroyed, Stolen in Whitefish Bay

But spokesman for Pasch denies any involvement or knowledge of reported acts of vandalism as 8th Senate District recall election heats up.

  • Editor's note: This story was update at 10:25 a.m. July 8 to include new information from area police departments.

 

In what she described as "coordinated acts of vandalism and destruction," state Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) said her campaign signs along North Lake Drive in Milwaukee County have been stolen or destroyed.

Darling, who is one of six Republican senators targeted for recall elections this summer, said the incidents took place over the Fourth of July weekend.

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"I am disappointed to see that a group of dissenters will go as far as to trespass, vandalize and steal campaign signs from the yards of Darling supporters," she said in a statement. "My hope is that these acts are unrelated and are the work of pranksters, but my fear is that these are outside interests attempting to intimidate voters and silence their opinion."

Darling, of River Hills,, a Whitefish Bay Democrat, in a recall election on Aug. 9. Pasch first must win a set for Tuesday.

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A spokeswoman for Pasch said Thursday that her campaign "is not aware of, or in any way involved in the destruction of any campaign signs."

In fact, spokeswoman Gillian Morris said Pasch's campaign sign in her front yard was vandalized Wednesday night.

"It is completely inappropriate - on either side - for signs to be vandalized," said Morris. "Sandy joins Alberta in rejecting this and calling for this to stop."

Whitefish Bay Police Lt. Ron Stefanske confirmed Friday morning that four of Darling's signs were stolen or vandalized in that community on Monday or Tuesday.

Darling said in her statement that police have received multiple calls about the signs being damaged and stolen, and that her campaign "intends to work with the proper authorities to ensure that this type of behavior is discouraged and ends immediately."

Patch contacted other departments in Darling's 8th Senate District - including Glendale, Fox Point, Shorewood, Bayside, River Hills, Menomonee Falls and Milwaukee - and found no other recent reports of stolen or damaged signs.

The Darling campaign did not return phone calls or respond to e-mails Thursday or Friday to elaborate on how many signs were stolen or damaged, or exactly where the incidents occurred.

Stefanske said Whitefish Bay police don't plan to investigate the incidents unless someone comes forward with information on what happened to the signs. However, officers will be extra vigilant while on patrol - particularly overnight, when these types of incidents typically occur, he said.


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