Several pro-annexation campaign signs have been the target of recent widespread theft and vandalism, according to Citizens for One Kirkland, the registered campaign committee supporting the annexation of Kingsgate, Finn Hill, and North Juanita into the city of Kirkland.

“More than 90 percent of the campaign signs we put out a little over a week ago have been stolen,” said Johanna Palmer, chair of Citizens for One Kirkland. “We’re not talking about signs just damaged or knocked over by the wind. The signs weren’t taken by road crews mowing or cleaning up signs. Our ‘Annex Yes!’ signs have been specifically targeted for theft while all other campaign signs in the vicinity have been left untouched.”

In addition to the widespread sign theft, Palmer said that many signs have been vandalized with spray paint or had the “Yes” portion taped over and “No” scrawled in its place.

“There are members of our community who don’t respect freedom of speech and have destroyed signs on both sides (of the issue),” said Scott Brady, a member of the No Kirkland Annexation Committee, who also notified the Reporter that some of the committee’s signs against annexation had been stolen. “We respect the freedom of speech of all and hope the people responsible will stop doing it.”

Toby Nixon, a former member of the state legislature and member of the pro-annexation committee, said “I’ve been involved in a number of political campaigns over the past decade. In each of them, some sign attrition, damage, and vandalism was experienced. But as heated as those campaigns became at times, I have never seen theft and vandalism to this astonishing extent.”

Citizens for One Kirkland have reported the thefts and vandalism to the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Kirkland Police, and asked to be notified if any of the stolen signs are recovered so that they can be reclaimed.

Voting on annexation is now in progress. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3.