TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – June is Pride Month and with it has brought a thief who stole a Pride sign out of a Traverse City neighbor’s yard. 9&10 News has reported that an investigation was opened after one such sign was stolen from a resident’s yard. There is even video of the crime. The Traverse City Police Department (TCPD) is hoping that someone will recognize the culprit or the vehicle used in the theft and let them know who the suspect is. The TCPD says that stealing signs is a crime and could involve a larceny charge.

MORE NEWS: Middle East Expert: Americans ‘Lulled’ Into False Sense of Security on Terrorism

In Michigan, stealing or defacing political signs is a misdemeanor that can carry a maximum penalty of a $500 fine or imprisonment of up to 90 days in jail.

Krista Fryczynski, the police department’s LGBT Liaison Officer says, “Just remember, incidences and crimes like this don’t affect just one person. It affects the entire community of people. So just please be mindful of your actions and how they may affect others.”

Up North Pride, a non-profit organization, has a Sign Replacement Fund set up for the homeowner and others who need to replace vandalized and stolen signs in the community. Their website self-describes the group as a collective of 2SLGBTQIA+ humans and allies looking to build a more inclusive and welcoming Northern Michigan.

On the other side of the state in Monroe, in southeast Michigan, Kelsie Anderson had a pride flag stolen near the end of May of this year. She told WXYZ-TV Channel 7 that she’s been a target for supporting the LGBTQ community. She’s had several incidents happen to her property in addition to the stolen flag, including a smashed out window and someone cutting open a porch door screen and throwing a rock into her home, some of the incidents dating back to 2020.

Also in May, Yahoo News reported the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department was “investigating an incident in which a pair of pride flags were stolen from a home, one of which was found burned.” The original report can be found here. In April, Chelsea police were also looking into someone who was stealing pride flags in the area.

Michigan isn’t the only state having this problem though. Other reports have been popping up on the internet including in Uxbridge, Massachusetts where Spectrum News 1 reports that an annual Pride flag display has become the target for vandalism and theft.

MORE NEWS: ‘Very Strange’ UM Lab Case Ends With Guilty Plea and Immediate Deportation

The media outlet reports, “For the past few years, a group of Uxbridge residents have celebrated Pride Month by decorating a bridge downtown with flags and messages of solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community. While their effort apparently hasn’t been met with acceptance by everyone, they’re not letting it bring them down.”

Back before the presidential election in September of 2020, police in Northern Michigan came across a bunch of stolen Trump campaign signs while conducting a traffic stop in Leelanau county. Forgive the rhyme but…No matter the sign, you must do the time if you steal someone’s sign.