The Hays Police Department is reporting an increase in thefts of political signs in Hays during this election season.
Chief Don Scheibler said Thursday there have been 27 signs stolen and four damaged — from both political parties — in a total of 26 cases this year.
Scheibler said two high school-age boys recently shared in a security camera footage stealing a sign have been identified and have confessed.
The chief attributed the majority of the sign thefts to high school- and college-age pranks — and pleaded with the public not to "booby trap" their signs.
He said there has been a report of a high schooler injured by stickpins placed in a sign. Scheibler also relayed a story from another community where a city worker moving an improperly placed sign was cut by razor blades.
"I would caution people not to booby trap their signs," he said. "It's most likely a high school kid. You've got to ask yourself if a pin or a razor blade is really needed to stop a high school prank."