I Saw the Sign ... in the Recycling Bin

a candidate for at-large seat, said she was surprised to see several of her own campaign signs sticking out of a local recycling bin Monday morning.

But Hilbert's signs weren't the only ones that had been discarded.

“I found a garbage can full of signs – (Michael) Webber’s, no parking signs," said the 53-year-old Rochester Hills resident and mother of three. "I didn’t know whose house it was, and I was told to call the police.”

Hilbert contacted the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, who informed her it was likely the result of a prank, she said.

“They have an an 18-year-old daughter," Hilbert said. "They woke up Sunday morning and found 150 signs in their yard and thought it was a prank on their daughter.”

Oakland County Sheriff's Lt. Ray White said the situation, while not unusual, also isn't usually a problem in the area.

"I wouldn't say it's common in Rochester Hills," White said. "It's not like it's running rampant."

The Rochester Hills substation has had two reports of similar incidents involving campaign signs so far this year, White said.

"Sometimes it's kids pulling pranks, and sometimes it's supporters of a candidate," he said.

In this case, Hilbert said, signs point to a prank. 

“It was all kinds of signs," she said. "It wasn’t like it was just mine.”