by Michael J. Marino
Billings Police Department (BPD) is seeking the public’s assistance regarding a recent influx of vandalism cropping up in Billings. The target? Political signs, more specifically the signs regarding marijuana laws slated for the upcoming election.
Lieutenant Matt Lennick with BPD reminds residents that political signs are private property, which means any theft or vandalism done to them is considered a criminal offense.
SafeMontana founder Steve Zabawa said in an email that in just one month, 25 of his organization’s signs were vandalized resulting in an estimated loss of $7,500. Zabawa told YCN the actual loss is exponentially higher than that, when one factors in the number of “eyeballs that could’ve seen each sign.”
Zabawa requested that local law enforcement arrest the parties involved and charge them accordingly, and further asked them to “get the word out through the media not to do these criminal acts anymore.” “The marijuana opposition should be held accountable for this,” he added in his email to BPD personnel.
In an interview, Zabawa said the behavior has caused him so much stress, he is willing to pay a $2,500 reward to anyone who can identify the individual(s) involved.
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