Upland – A pro-medical marijuana group is alleging Upland Police Chief Brian Johnson stole political campaign signs that support allowing medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.
However, a city official refutes that claim.
Roger Jon Diamond, the attorney representing Regulate Upland, which placed Yes on Measure U signs throughout the city, said Monday he filed a complaint with the police departments internal affairs. The complaint was transferred to City Manager
What hes doing is illegal and violating the civil rights of the pro-measure group, Diamond said.
During Mondays council meeting, Mayor Ray Musser said he counted at least a dozen signs which were removed from Foothill Boulevard because they were placed on city property.
Every single one was in the parkway they were all illegal. If we are good citizens we do things correctly so that we dont ask our chief to do things that he normally doesnt want to do, Musser said. If they are in the parkway they are in city property.
Prior to the start of Mondays council meeting, Johnson said he was not at liberty to discuss the topic because its a personnel matter.
Interim City Manager Martin Thouvenell said he received the complaint late Monday. During the meeting, Thouvenell said the incident would be investigated by an outside party.
The incident began Saturday afternoon when volunteers for Yes on Measure U began to notice recently placed signs were gone.
The group shot a short video Saturday allegedly showing Johnson driving a female companion in a dark four-door sedan with a California exempt license plate. The unidentified woman is seen taking down a sign and then getting into the passenger seat. In photos taken by an unidentified volunteers, the same female can be seen removing signs and placing them on a stack with others in the back seat.
This is a very bizarre thing that hes done. Hes not touching them all, only Yes on U, Diamond said Monday afternoon.
Randy Welty told the council Monday night that the signs were removed from the intersection of Central Avenue and Foothill Boulevard, as well as Dewey Avenue and Foothill Boulevard, and other areas along a major thoroughfare. He claimed no other candidates had their signs removed or stolen.
This is interference of the First Amendment activity, he said.
Welty asked that the police department return the signs immediately.
Your signs are at public works and you are more than welcome to retrieve those, Thouvenell told Welty.
I think they should be brought back to me, Welty replied.
Thouvenell said they were not stolen and are stored in a neat and orderly fashion as are other candidates signs.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Pro-Medical Marijuana Group Alleges Upland Police Chief Removed Signs
Author: Liset Marquez
Contact: 909-987-6397
Photo Credit: Steve Dipaola
Website: Daily Bulletin
