Acrimony between candidates — and their supporters — is a defining trait of this year’s contentious election season.

Cass County is no exception to this trend, according to Prosecutor Victor Fitz.

Over the last several weeks, many residents and business owners residing in the county have reported that political signs placed on their properties have been stolen, vandalized or even incinerated. Area vandals have targeted more than 100 signs, both those supporting Democrats and those supporting Republicans, the prosecutor said.

While tampering with lawn signs is an issue during every election season, this year the problem has been particularly noticeable, Fitz said.

“I have experienced around half a dozen political cycles in my career as a prosecutor, and clearly this is the worse I have ever seen,” Fitz said. “Quite frankly, it is shameful.”

Besides theft, many residents have complained that their lawn signs have been spray-painted over or have been taken and burned with other stolen signs — one even complained that a sign was lit on fire while still planted on the resident’s property, Fitz said.

Law enforcement agencies have received complaints from residents throughout the county, including Dowagiac, Cassopolis, Edwardsburg, Marcellus and Porter Township, Fitz said.

“No part of the county appears to be exempt,” he said. “It is not just smaller size signs that are affected, but larger ones, too.”

While the focus of most thefts has been signs for the U.S. presidential election, vandals have also frequently targeted signs advocating for candidates for Cass County Circuit Court Judge, Fitz said.

Last week, officers with the Silver Creek Township Police Department arrested an individual who police suspect was attempting to steal two campaign signs around 4 a.m. The suspect has been charged with two counts of larceny under $200, which could result in up to 93 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.

On top of larceny, people who are discovered to be targeting campaign signs could also receive charges of malicious destruction of property, which carries similar potential consequences. These penalties could increase if the vandal is operating with others, Fitz said.

“Some people may get lulled into the belief this is just part of the election process, but that is the furthest thing from the truth,” Fitz said. “If someone does these things we will process them to the full extent of the law, regardless of their political stripe. If you want to campaign, then great, but if you want to steal you are making yourself a criminal.”

Residents who believe their campaign signs have been stolen or vandalized are asked to report the incident to police.