As Election Day nears, some of the tension has been seen in the yards of Marion County. Knoxville Police Chief Dan Losada says that there have been numerous reports recently of people stealing campaign signs from front yards. In one case, Losada says a photo was posted to Facebook that had a number of Obama campaign signs in one person’s front yard as an apparent prank. He says that they were able to identify the home, contact the homeowner, and return many of the signs to their original owners.

Chief Losada reminds residents that those stealing or damaging campaign signs can be charged with Fifth Degree Theft and/or Criminal Mischief. Each count carries a maximum fine of 625 dollars and/or up to 30 days in jail.