CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. (WENY) -- With election day right around the corner, more political signs, local and national, are popping up in yards everywhere. WENY News has received numerous phone calls about campaign signs being destroyed and or going missing in Chemung County, but when asked, the Chemung County Sheriff said they rarely receive any of these reports.

"Very rarely does it get reported to police though, I think people just expect that it is going to happen to some level or another. However, should it get reported to police or somebody captures that footage on a home camera and they report it, there are consequences," says Sheriff Bill Schrom, Chemung County.

Those consequences can range from trespassing and or criminal mischief if a sign is vandalized, or event petite larceny if stolen because the signs technically have a monetary value. Sheriff Schrom says in order for law enforcement to be able to investigate a stolen or damaged sign, they need quite a bit of proof to follow it through. 

"Unless somebody has very good footage seeing somebody taking it, which would include a plate number or the person's image, I don't know that there is much law enforcement is going to be able to do about it other than have a record it was taken," says Sheriff Schrom.

Even though they're just yard signs, Sheriff Schrom reminds community members to have respect for one another, regardless if they agree with the politics or not.

"Regardless of what your political affiliation is, regardless of what your stance is on certain issues, it is a first amendment right. You might not agree with it but just respect it. It's very important to allow people to express what they believe in."

Sheriff Schrom told WENY News that if you do have evidence and would like to report a missing or vandalized sign, to call your local authorities non-emergency number,. 

Chemung Counties non-emergency number is (607)735-8600.