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'Illegal' Bernie Graffiti Stencils On SF Sidewalks, Utility Boxes

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- The taggers who stenciled the word 'Bernie' on sidewalks and utility boxes in San Francisco broke the law, but will most likely get away with it, according to officials. There were dozens of the stencils promoting Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders on Monday.

The Department of Public Works considers the graffiti an act of vandalism, but says it will be hard prosecuting the case.

"Unless the offender is caught in the act or promotes it on social media or through another avenue," it would be hard to press charges wrote DPW spokesperson Rachel Gordon in an email to KPIX 5. "That said, our public sidewalks should not be used as billboards for corporate advertising or political messaging. Defacing public sidewalks is illegal."

Sanders has been campaigning heavily in the Bay Area. He wraps up Monday evening in San Francisco with a star-studded "Get Out The Vote" concert at Crissy Field.

No word as to whether the Sanders camp will take responsibility for creating or cleaning up the graffiti.

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