Campbell Police will keep enforcing sign ordinance

Chief hasn’t had to enforce law in months

The court battle over a controversial sign ordinance in the town of Campbell won’t keep that rule from being enforced.

Campbell police chief Drew Gavrilos says, while he hasn’t had to enforce the law for months, he will.

The ordinance has been embroiled in a legal battle since protesters were first ticketed under the rule which bans flags, banners and signs from display on the interstate pedestrian overpass on French Island, like the video below.

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“It kind of feels like we’re making case law here,” Gavrilos said. “The fact is, through every court process it’s been in, it’s been upheld, so it’s never not been enforceable.

“Obviously we have an obligation to enforce the laws of the federal government, the state and our local municipalities and we’re going to do that to the best of our ability.”

Gavrilos, however, is very aware of the sensitivity to the law, which drew national attention for some time after it was enacted.
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“When you’re talking about First Amendment freedom of speech it’s something that’s so passionate for people on both sides of the argument,” he said. “Yeah, obviously you want to make sure you’re looking out in the best interest of everybody involved.”

A federal appeals court, last week, upheld the constitutionality of the law, enacted after protesters held “impeach Obama” banners and signs on the overpass.

The court did suggest part of the rule needed review by lower courts.