‘Someone’s doing something intentionally’ | Talarico signs disappear from South Austin neighborhood

A South Austin resident said his James Talarico campaign sign has disappeared twice in a month, and he noticed several others missing nearby.

AUSTIN, Texas — A South Austin resident said his James Talarico campaign sign has been taken from his front yard twice in the past month, and he believes other signs supporting the candidate have also disappeared from his neighborhood.

Jared R., who lives along Kinney Avenue, said he woke up on Sunday morning to find his sign missing.

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“Our Talarico sign was missing, and this is the second one that’s gone missing in about a month,” Jared said.

After discovering the sign was gone, Jared said he went down Kinney Avenue and noticed several other signs he remembered seeing were no longer there.

“Later in the day, we went out and we started driving down Kinney. We noticed a bunch of signs were missing, and Kinney’s about a mile long, so it was kind of surprising,” Jared said.

When KVUE drove along Kinney Avenue on Monday, only a few campaign signs could be seen. At least one was secured to a fence with wire.

Jared said he has also noticed some neighbors taking additional steps to secure or reposition their signs.

“I’ve noticed that some people have their signs, they maybe have multiple signs, but only their Talarico sign is on their fence. Or I noticed another neighbor move their sign from the street to behind the stone wall in front of their house,” Jared said.

He said he believes the signs are being taken intentionally.

“Definitely someone’s doing something intentionally,” Jared said.

Jared said he is disappointed by what has happened in his neighborhood.

“It’s a little saddening. It’s unfortunate. It’s just not the right behavior. And I think we are all better than that, and I think Texas can be better,” Jared said.

After his second sign disappeared, Jared filed a report with the Austin Police Department.

“I went ahead and filed a police report. Just in case if someone else does, you know, it is against the law. So if they can find whoever is doing it, you know, there should be consequences,” Jared said.

KVUE asked APD whether it has received other reports of political or campaign signs being taken from private property and whether those reports tend to increase during campaign season. The department said it is working to provide that information.

KVUE also reached out to the Talarico campaign to ask whether it has received similar reports from supporters but has not yet received a response.

Despite losing two signs, Jared said the incidents will not stop him from putting up another.

“It is just a sign,” Jared said. “Does it worry me? Maybe it’s a good reason to get another sign, donate again. Maybe this time I’ll get three.”