The latest battlefield in a heated presidential campaign: front yards bearing Biden signs.

[Zorro]

Across Pennsylvania — especially in rural communities — tens of thousands of yard signs supporting Joe Biden have popped up as his fans try to replicate how Donald Trump showed his growing support in the state in 2016. And, just as quickly, some of those signs have been vanishing.

It usually happens in the dark of night, local Democrats say, but sometimes in daylight. Sometimes entire streets or neighborhoods are cleared. Pro-Biden Facebook groups have devoted long threads to strategies for deterring sign snatchers — one suggestion involves clear hair gel and pesky glitter, another electrifying the metal frame with a car battery.

While sign thefts are a problem every election year for candidates of both parties — and are an ongoing source of headaches for campaign staffers and party officials — some Democrats in Pennsylvania and several other states insist it’s worse for them this year and illustrates the emotional intensity of the coming election. While there are examples of Trump signs also disappearing, there hasn’t been the same level of public outcry.

Campaign staffers frequently roll their eyes at the utility of campaign signs, preferring to spend their time and money on higher-tech sales pitches. But as the Trump campaign proved in 2016, signs can create a momentum for a candidate all on their own, persuading people that siding with a candidate, even a controversial one, is safe.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-latest-battlefield-in-a-heated-presidential-campaign-front-yards-bearing-biden-signs/2020/08/29/5264dc70-e962-11ea-970a-64c73a1c2392_story.html

[pwb]

1. Put it inside in a window.

They will have to break your window and commit a crime. A camera would help.

[efhmc]

2. I had that problem in small town Texas until I wrote a message and attached it to my sign saying

I was taking video of the sign and would put the video on twitter and prosecute them/her/him for trespass and theft. Worked. The funny thing was that I did not have a security camera then but I DO now.

[Thekaspervote]

4. Exactly!! It works

[Thekaspervote]

3. Along with your Biden sign, put out a sign that says they are being video recorded

We have a beautiful 109 yr old prairie style home and the neighborhood has suffered a drug dealer moving in a few houses down. Several in the neighborhood have mounted cameras and they now know they are being watched. It has hampered their activity to the point they are moving out.

[rzemanfl]

5. On my way to work on election day there were Obama signs precisely spaced the same distance

apart for blocks on the busy road I traveled. It was then I was certain Obama would win Florida and the election.