Keep the peace during election season
SECURITY COLUMN
by Victor Rocha
Security Services director
As stated in past articles in the LW Weekly, everyone is entitled to free speech. This includes the right to place signs and banners of support for candidates (within Mutual and GRF rules) and other lawful actions to support their candidates or cause.
Unfortunately, there have been incidents inside the community that include destroying signs and banners, yelling threats and other derogatory terms at other residents, and distributing letters that may be considered inflammatory. These tactics cannot only be seen as harass- ment or threatening, but may also violate the law.
For example, in regard to political signs, a person who knowingly destroys, marks, tears down or otherwise defaces a sign supporting or opposing a candidate for elective office or a ballot measure without authorization, in addition to any other penalty provided by law (up to 90 days in jail), is subject to an additional fine not to exceed $1,000 (CA Penal Code Section 594.9).
The Security Department will immediately report all threats, vandalism and letters of an inflammatory nature to the Seal Beach Police Department for review and further investigation. We ask everyone to respect their neighbors during this time.
