Candidate’s signs removed, one defaced with racist language

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Clinton Township Trustee Tammy Patton, a current candidate for township treasurer, stated in a press release that her campaign signs were tampered with in early October, including one that was defaced with racist language.

The Democrat candidate, who is Black, provided photos of the signs. In one photo, the candidate’s pink and black sign has a racial slur written across her name. “Go back to Africa” is written on the same sign. Additional photos show signs removed from their spot. On Oct. 15, Patton said one of her large signs was cut down near the intersection of 17 Mile and Garfield roads. 

Patton is currently serving her first term on the Clinton Township Board of Trustees.

In the release, Patton said that she is concerned about the safety of her campaign volunteers and poll workers.

“Hey, I served 8-years in the U.S. Army. I'm used to challenges," Patton is quoted as saying in the release. “But I've also seen what can happen when things get out of hand. For my part, I'm going to stay focused letting voters know my plans to improve the Treasurer's office."

Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon, a Republican, said the racist language on the sign was “just horrible.”

“It’s not right, it’s not called for,” Cannon said. “It’s not acceptable in our society anymore. It never really ever should’ve been. We have grown out of that time period and people have got to stop doing this stuff.”

Patton filed a police report on Oct. 2 about the vandalization, according to Clinton Township Police Lt. Michael Marker.

“Our concern is with the racist nature of it,” Marker said. “It seems like someone is being targeted for a specific reason, because she’s Black.”

He said approximately five reports were filed around the same time by residents about lawn signs being vandalized or stolen. These incidents happened in a residential neighborhood along Moravian Drive in Clinton Township during evening hours.

“They were a variety of political signs, most of them were candidates on the left side of the aisle,” Marker said.

Marker said the department understands residents’ concerns about election integrity. 

“We’re dedicating resources to it,” Marker said. “It’s just a matter of maybe getting lucky with a video here or two.”

Marker said that in the wake of the reports, police have been canvassing the area to see if residents have any home surveillance of the incidents. He said catching someone “red-handed” would be the ideal scenario.

“We have a couple videos of interest that have pushed us on to potential suspects at play here, but we don’t have much more than a couple vehicles of interest in the area on video,” Marker. “Even then, they’re not showing much.”

He encouraged residents to check their home surveillance footage for any possible thefts and to reach out to the department. If a resident catches someone in the act, Marker said to call 911. If they have general information about a theft, they can reach out to Marker at (586) 493-7856. 

“We’re trying to put together as much as we can, but we’ll always take as much help as we can from the public,” Marker said.

Ethnic intimidation is a felony that carries a sentence of up to two years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both. Larceny, when the stolen item is worth less than $200, is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days and/or a fine of not more than $500 or three times the value of the property stolen (whichever is greater).

Cannon said people should leave campaign signs alone, whatever their personal beliefs are.

“I feel bad for the Police Department because they have more important things to do than watch for people stealing political signs,” Cannon said. 

Patton is often a bipartisan vote of the Board of Trustees, at times working with the board’s conservative members: Cannon, Trustee Dan Kress and Clerk Kim Meltzer. The release states that she was rated “Well-Qualified” in her race for treasurer by the Michigan Association of County Treasurers incoming President Eric Sabree.

“Tammy's a homeowner and property taxpayer herself. I've never known her to get distracted by petty insults,” said John Johnson, chairman of the Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce, in the release. “It's a shame that there is still this element out there nowadays. It makes me respect Tammy's common sense and steady judgment all the more.” 

Patton’s Republican opponent, Mike Aiello could not be immediately reached for comment at press time.

Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.