Stickergate? Trump 2020 Stickers Proliferate on Street Signs across Greenwich

“Trump 2020 Keep America Great” stickers are popping up on the backs of speed limit and stop signs all over town. Harmless? Not exactly.

The right to post lawn signs on public property is a First Amendment right and the Town does not regulate election signage unless they are impeding sight lines.

In Connecticut, a person who steals, defaces, or vandalizes lawn signs may be subject to criminal charges, including larceny and trespass.

Trump 2020 sign on Milbank Ave after someone attempted to remove it. Sept 30, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
Trump 2020 sticker on Field Point Rd. Sept 21, 2020
Trump 2020 sticker at Hearthstone Drive. Sept 21, 2020
Trump 2020 sticker on Hendrie Ave across from Riverside School. Sept 21, 2020
Trump 2020 sticker on Hendrie Ave across from Riverside School. Sept 21, 2020

Putting stickers on traffic signs, purchased and placed with taxpayer dollars, is another story.

First Selectman Camillo mentioned the stickers in his Friday Connections e-blast, saying, “We are seeing a proliferation of political stickers being placed on street signs and road signs. Please do not deface public property when exercising your First Amendment right of Freedom of Speech in support of candidates. In doing so, you are breaking the law and anyone caught doing so will be prosecuted.”

On Monday he said the Town is removing the stickers, but they keep popping back up.

Greenwich Police Captain Mark Zuccerella said if police catch someone responsible for the stickers, the charge would be Criminal Mischief.

“The degree depends on the cost to replace. When you clean a sticker off, it ruins the reflective surface,” he said. “The best way to stop them is to keep replacing. The vandals always grow tired and stop.”

RTC chair Dan Quigley said the RTC has prioritized the importance of following the rules with regard to signs and stickers.

“We strongly urge that people respect the laws associated with any public displays of their political preferences during the campaign season,” Quigley said.

The small print on the back of town signs is explicit:

It is UNLAWFUL to deface, detach or remove any official road sign or traffic control device. It is UNLAWFUL to buy or sell this item for scrap or any other purpose, punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. Report sign damage or theft by calling (203) 622-8003.

Damage left to stop sign at Drinkwater Lane in Riverside where a sticker was removed.
A warning on the back of a stop sign at Drinkwater says “It is UNLAWFUL to deface, detach or remove any official road sign or traffic control device. It is UNLAWFUL to buy or sell this item for scrap or any other purpose, punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. Report sign damage or theft by calling (203) 622-8003.
Trump 2020 sticker sign at Bramble Lane. Sept 21, 2020
Trump 2020 sticker at intersection of Locust and East Elm downtown. Sept 17, 2020
Trump 2020 sticker on Stop sign at intersection at entrance to Quarry Knoll. Sept 17, 2020
Trump 2020 sticker at intersection of Lincoln and East Elm downtown. Sept 17, 2020
Trump 2020 sticker at traffic rotary by Mason St and Fawcett Place in downtown. Sept 17, 2020
Trump 2020 sticker at intersection of Benedict and West Elm downtown. Sept 21, 2020