Stealing candidate signs is one of the oldest shady election stunts in the book.

It's also against the law.

Deborah Rose, who is running for the Timberlake Fire Protection District's Sub-District 5 seat in the Nov. 7 election, said about 10 of her signs valued at $25 each were stolen in Athol and on Bunco Road last week.

"I'm saddened by this act of disregard," she said. "All I want to do is serve my community and share my skills and knowledge with our fire district residents and the district's staff. This is a very contentious race apparently.

"Let candidates run on their own merits and let the taxpayers decide who wins."

Rose said she wants to make it clear that she doesn't think her opponent, Sam Conner, stole the signs.

She believes it was politically motivated since she said her signs were the only ones that were taken, to her knowledge.

"My signs were placed on private property out of the highway right of way," she said.

Stealing election signs is a crime. If the items stolen are less than $1,000 in value, it’s considered misdemeanor petit theft, which results in up to a year in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine.

If the value stolen is more than $1,000, it’s considered felony grand theft, which can result in more than a year in jail and/or more than a $1,000 fine.

Rose said she didn't file a report with the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office because she didn't believe the suspect or suspects would be found.

"They're not going to keep the evidence around because they don't want to get caught," she said.

Rose said she believes all of the signs were stolen around the same time. She said she considered asking for surveillance of businesses in Athol, but she didn't have her signs in front of the businesses.

She said she realizes she's not the first local candidate who has had signs stolen and it's not a new dirty trick, but she said that especially with so many new residents here, some might not even be aware it's against the law.

Paula Neils, chairwoman of the Kootenai Democrats, said there have been isolated incidents of election sign thefts over the years, but she doesn't consider it a pervasive issue.

"(Campaign signs) are free speech, and stealing them is not a respectful way to carry on an election," Neils said.

Dennis Stinebaugh, KCSO spokesman, said his agency hasn't heard of any election sign thefts this fall.