who knowingly destroys, marks, tears ….

who knowingly destroys, marks, tears down, or otherwise defaces a sign supporting or opposing a candidate for elective office or a ballot measure without authorization, in addition to any other penalty provided by law (up to 90 days in jail), is subject to an additional fine not to exceed one thousand dollars (CA Penal Code Section 594.9).

Rules Dictating Political Signs in Garden Areas Depending on the Mutual, there is a small amount of space in front of a unit’s door or patio area that may be considered “exclusive use” for the resident and not considered common area.

This typically ends up being a garden area. Posting in this area would be allowed, but again, each Mutual may have a different take on “exclusive use.”

Anyone who that believes there is a violation of the sign or poster policies is advised to take a picture of the sign and have their Mutual director review it, or email Security at watchcommanders@lwsb.com,

which will consult with Mutual Administration.

Obscene or Inappropriate Signs, Banners or Posters

Some residents have reported signs that they considered inappropriate or obscene. After consulting with the Seal Beach Police Department, the First Amendment gives a person wide access to all types of thought, including the use of words and images one might find inappropriate or obscene. The sign or poster becomes criminal in nature if it promotes acts of violence or is spreading hate speech against a class of people.

Reporting Sign/Banner/ Poster Violations The process of reporting violations is: All sign violations should be immediately reported to a Mutual director. The Mutual will then review the issue with Mutual Administration. If warranted, a letter will be sent to the resident detailing the violation.

Security can be dispatched to ask the resident to remove the violating sign. Security may only advise the resident of the violation and ask to have the sign removed. If the resident refuses, Security may not remove the sign on its own. Security will complete an incident report and advise Mutual Administration of the interaction with the resident.