Campaign signs in Wauwatosa, New Berlin damaged and stolen ahead of November election

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Over a dozen people woke up to vandalized campaign signs on their lawns in Wauwatosa on Tuesday, Oct. 8

Near the intersection of 81st Street and North Avenue, homeowners Tony Steiner and Neil Childress say their campaign signs in support of Vice President Kamala Harris were defaced with red spray paint overnight. 

“My wife noticed it looking through our front window," Steiner said. "She was surprised and a bit shocked.”

“We’ve always promoted our candidate we like," Childress said. “This is the first time this has happened to us.

Both men shared disappointment and frustration with the political divides this vandalism reflects in the key swing state of Wisconsin. 

“That just shows that people don’t care about other people," Childress said. “We just don’t like the divisiveness that’s going on.”

“I find it very upsetting that the level of political discourse in the country has gotten to this level," Steiner said. "It’s very disturbing." 

These neighbors in Wauwatosa aren't the only ones who have experienced vandalism to their campaign signs. Another woman shared a photo of a sign that was sliced into pieces outside a lawn. 

In New Berlin, a man sent CBS 58 home surveillance video of three people getting out of a car, taking a sign, and driving away. 

As voters head into November, Steiner and Childress hope voters look past the deep divides in Wisconsin and find unity in respecting each other's political opinions.

“I hope we can find a way past this because this is a critical election," Steiner said.