VANDALS TAMPERING WITH SIGNS IN CITY ELECTION.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Candidates for the city's April 5 election are reporting that hundreds of lawn signs are being stolen or moved to illegal locations, and officials warned Thursday that such tampering must stop.

Officials said they have received dozens of calls - but just three formal complaints - about sign tampering. They have also removed about a half-dozen signs that were illegally placed on city property.

``It's important for people to realize that removal or defacing these candidate signs is a crime and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,'' city spokesman Ritch Wells said. ``The city takes this activity very seriously and residents who witness this type of activity are encouraged to contact the Glendale Police Department.''

Officials say removing, defacing or destroying a candidate's sign is a misdemeanor, as is placing signs on private property without permission. Those who tamper with the signs can be prosecuted for theft, vandalism or trespassing and may be subject to a fine or jail.

Under city law, the candidates can be fined $15 for each sign placed in an illegal location.

Mayor Bob Yousefian, who's seeking re-election to the City Council, said he's lost 200 of the 1,000 campaign signs he ordered.

``This happens in every election - it's part of the election cycle,'' he said, recalling that his signs in past elections have been defaced, stolen and moved to different locations.

First-time city clerk candidate George McCullough has had about 50 of his signs moved from private properties to illegal locations like the lawn of Glendale's main post office, in front of the Glendale Board of Education and to on-ramps of local freeways.

Although he has not officially filed a complaint with the city, he did send a letter to city officials explaining his problem to protect himself in the event he is penalized.

The whole experience has been a disappointing one, McCullough said.

``To put eight signs on the school board property and six on the post office's property is just blatant,'' said McCullough, who's been removing the illegally placed signs himself. ``Maybe seasoned politicians would believe it, but I just couldn't believe anybody would do that.''

Naush Boghossian, [phone]

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

To report missing campaign signs, call the Neighborhood Services Department at [phone]. To report a stolen sign, call the Glendale Police Department at [phone].