NORWALK, Conn. – Signs, signs, everywhere a sign.
And some of them, apparently are annoying some people enough to prompt them to commit larceny.
From a judge – or at least a judge-wannabe.
Attorney Darnell Crosland, a Democratic candidate for judge in the Norwalk Probate District and president of the Norwalk NAACP chapter, has filed a complaint with the Norwalk Police Department alleging political lawn sign theft.
The report was not immediately available Monday evening, but Crosland said this information in an email that, between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, a sign was removed from Bedford Street at Van Buren Avenue. He said the vehicle driven by the alleged thief may be on a security camera on Van Buren pointed up Bedford.
“That’s just one instance we know is on camera,” he wrote. “There are countless other instances.”
Crosland is challenging longtime incumbent Republican Judge Anthony DePanfilis for the seat on the bench.
The police report takes to the next level a situation that, according to Norwalk Republican Town Committee Pete Torrano, began earlier this month.
“I actually initiated contact with Ed (Norwalk Democratic Town Committee Chairman Ed Camacho) couple of weeks ago. I also spoke personally with Crosland about two weeks ago concerning his signs being in public places. He was going to take care of it and did not.
“We too have signs taken, but I’m not willing to say that it’s a Democratic candidate or their surrogates who are doing it,” he said. “Often times it’s just kids.”
Crosland said that, in one instance, permission was obtained from Curry’s Tire on a Saturday to put a sign in a planter in front of the West Avenue store. On Sunday morning the Crosland sign was gone and a DePanfilis sign was in its place.
Torrano said a letter was sent out by state Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker reminding the local parties about the sign laws and the risk signs can pose to traffic. Torrano said he sent the letter to all the candidates. The letter is attached below.
“As soon as it went out I did receive notice of a sign improperly placed at Woods Pond, and I notified Ed Camacho, who said he will take care of it,” he said. “We’re working together.”
Former RTC Chairman Art Scialabba sent the state letter accompanied by a message:
“Attached is a notice from the State of CT DOT regarding lawn sign placement. Chairman Pete is also asking that no RTC members or campaign committee members remove any opponents signs from any locations in the city. Pete has received word that several signs for Mr. Crossland have been removed from both public and private property.
“Please notify Pete if you notice any signs located (both democrat or republican) in improper locations.
“If it is a Democrat sign, he will notify the DTC Chairman to have it removed.”
https://nancyonnorwalk.com/republicans-seek-police-protection-for-moccia-campaign-signs
It was the Republicans and Scialabba who went to the police in the 2013 election to complain about missing signs.
“We expect to lose a couple of signs here and there, but this election season it seems that it has been an organized and deliberate attempt to steal as many ‘Moccia for Mayor’ lawn signs as they can, off the property of our of supporters” Scialabba said then in a press release. “This election season is the worst we’ve seen, losing more signs this year than all of my years as Town Chairman combined. By our calculations, we have lost upwards of 150 signs throughout the city, but with a higher loss rate in East Norwalk.”
Scialabba said that, if the police figured out who was taking the signs, charges would be pressed.
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