These are the charges you could face

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. – Many of you have called WPTV and tagged us online to tell us about political signs that have been vandalized or stolen from Palm Beach County through the Treasure Coast.

“It’s really heated, that’s for sure,” said Ronald Barnett, a supporter of former President Donald Trump. “We don’t want to hear all the bad stuff because that’s not what it’s about.”

He claims a man driving along Indiantown Road in Jupiter Farms took the Trump signs from the median.

“I just want to see a fair election myself, and if there’s a Trump sign hanging here, leave it alone,” Barnett said. “I’m not going to put up a Harris sign because that’s not what we Republicans do.”

Republican Ronald Barnett is speaking out about the sign stealing he witnessed during this election season.

Cellphone video he shared with WPTV showed the moment he confronted the man and told him to put the signs back.

The man claimed it was public property and later drove away.

“If the man, the man in that video, happens to see this, what is your message to him?” WPTV reporter Joel Lopez said.

“I’d like him to just put the signs back,” Barnett said.

Barnett said he contacted the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, who told WPTV they are investigating the matter.

WPTV reported last week that PBSO has received 49 calls since February regarding a wide range of political incidents. The busiest month was October with 13 calls.

Democrat Bob Villa says the signs supporting Kamala Harris' presidency disappeared shortly after they were posted. — Democrat Bob Villa says the signs supporting Kamala Harris’ presidency disappeared shortly after they were posted.

We contacted the agency on Monday and they said they have received three more calls since our last investigation.

“I agree, it should be fair, it should be equal, you don’t have to do this,” said Bob Villa of the St. Lucie County Democrats. “There is room for everyone and after the election we will still be neighbors.”

Villa claimed that Harris signs at voting locations have disappeared.

“We follow the rules and put up the signs,” Villa said. “The next day they’re gone and it’s sad, but we’re still here.”

It’s not just candidates, WPTV has also obtained surveillance footage of a woman in Port St. Lucie vandalizing and stealing signs related to the Florida amendments.

Since January, Port St. Lucie police said they have had 12 political incidents, seven of which were classified as vandalism or theft.

“We have people with opposing opinions and perspectives,” said Leo Niemczyk, the assistant chief of the Port St. Lucie Police Department.

Port St. Lucie's assistant police chief outlines the criminal charges people could face if caught stealing campaign signs. — Port St. Lucie’s assistant police chief outlines the criminal charges people could face if caught stealing campaign signs.

Niemczyk said tampering with political signals is a crime, regardless of whether they are on public or private property.

If it is taken from private property, it could also be considered a burglary depending on the location.

“What is your message to the people who steal or vandalize these signs?” Lopez asked.

“Let it go, don’t get arrested because of a sign,” Niemczyk said.

If you are caught, you could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Officials with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said in the past they had problems, but things were quiet this election.

The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said they do not keep call statistics related to political issues.

WPTV requested information from the Indian River and Okeechobee County sheriff’s offices but did not hear back.