The political season always seems to bring out the thieves and vandals. No, this is not a reference to candidates but rather the unknown perpetrators who are stealing and damaging campaign signs in Calvert County.

During the Monday, July 14 meeting of Calvert County Neighborhood Watch Dfc. Mark Robshaw of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office said the theft of political signs is currently Calvert’s “biggest crime.”

“We believe it [stealing of signs] is happening in the early morning,” said Sgt. Rosemary King of the Maryland State Police (MSP) Prince Frederick Barrack.

“If you see anybody stealing them, please report it,” Robshaw asked the meeting-goers.

A large number of the sign thefts and vandalisms are occurring on Plum Point Road in Huntingtown, Robshaw stated later. He added that both large and small signs are being taken.

In an advisory issued Wednesday, July 16, Captain Steven R. Jones of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office reported that “between the dates of June 30 and July 13, an unknown culprit[s] stole various campaign signs from Sheriff Mike Evans. These signs were stolen from Mt. Harmony Road, Federal Oaks Drive in Sunderland and on one night (5) five signs were stolen from the Plum Point Road area. The values of these signs are in excess of $800. In addition Delegate Mark Fisher also had one sign stolen from Federal Oaks and various yard signs from the Twin Beach area. In addition Sheriff Evans had one sign on Huntingtown Road that was shot. The two concerns are the destruction of property and more importantly a bullet was fired near a residential neighborhood. Sheriff Evans and Delegate Fisher have both personally offered a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved. This case is currently under investigation by Deputy J. Buck. Any other candidates who have experienced thefts of signs are encouraged to contact the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office.”

No arrests have been made in any of the thefts or vandalisms of political signs in Calvert to date. Anyone who might have information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 410-535-2800 or MSP at 410-535-1400. You may also contact Calvert Crime Solvers at 410-535-2880. Jones advised that citizens may also visit the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office website at   calvertsheriff.blogspot.com/ for online anonymous tips.

Calvert’s law enforcement also continues to fight the war on drugs. King reported that as of early