BOISE, Idaho — City officials are reacting to the third theft and vandalization of the pride flags lining Harrison Blvd in Boise's North End in 11 days.
Mayor Lauren McLean says the pride flags are a reflection of the city and its inclusive values, condemning those who continue to damage them.
“I hear time and again from residents, how joyful it is, how happy they are to see them. And how appalled they are at people's decisions to target [them] and damage property,” said McLean.
Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar is committed to holding the people involved accountable for their crime.
“The [police] department is investigating, the department will hold them accountable. I just have to reiterate, people are welcome here, this is a loving community,” said Chief Winegar.
Residents are also speaking out against the targeting of the flags. Paul Simmons, a resident of the North End for the last 14 years, says he's “Disappointed that there are people within our city, within our neighborhood, who haven’t yet moved into the 21st century with the rest of us."
Pride flags along Harrison Boulevard have been torn down for the third time this month, according to a post by Boise City Council member Jimmy Hallyburton.
Hallyburton is the representative for District 6, which encompasses Boise's North End, and he said he noticed on Sunday morning that around 20 Pride flags had been torn down and vandalized. This is the third separate incident of this happening in June.
RELATED: Pride Flags in Boise's North End targeted for the fourth year in a row
According to Hallyburton, a group of neighbors stopped by to assist and they got all of the flags replaced in about 45 minutes.
"This behavior is not okay. It’s cowardly, it’s hateful, and the City Of Boise will not stand for it," Hallyburton wrote. "This is a matter of standing up for the safety of our neighbors, and making sure all of our LGBTQ+ community knows that Boise is there for them."
Hallyburton said he is working with Boise's Mayor and Police Department to put together a more official statement to come out on Monday or Tuesday.
Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar released the following statement on Sunday: "The actions taken by suspects on Harrison (Boulevard) this month and in the month of June over the past several years are unfortunate and completely unacceptable. We have taken multiple reports of theft and destruction of Pride flags along the center of Harrison Blvd., as well as on nearby private properties. Whether the motivation of those responsible is to spread hate or cause destruction in our community, it cannot be tolerated ... . I now speak directly to those who are responsible for the crimes that have been committed, and to anyone who may think this kind of activity is acceptable: This is never okay. What a miserable way to express yourself and your views, destroying and stealing the property of another. If you disagree with someone or something, you can find a productive way to express your feelings and opinions. And while you may argue that taking or destroying Pride flags is 'political speech' or some expression of your opposition to those who belong to the LGBTQ+ community, it is not — it is hatred on display, and a crime, plain and simple."
(Below is the transcript from the broadcast story)
Caught on camera… the possible suspects behind vandalized pride flags along Harrison Boulevard
“Disappointed that there are people within our city, within our neighborhood, who haven’t yet moved into the 21st century with the rest of us.” Simmons
Paul Simmons has lived in the North End for 14 years.
He says he and his neighbors are generally supportive of the flags on display every June… and repeated vandalism leaves them feeling frustrated
“Mostly it’s a little bit of fear because, what’s the next step? Outside of vandalism what’s the next step these people will do?” Simmons
“You don’t want it to escalate?” Triepke
“Yeah, exactly,” Simmons
I met with Mayor Lauren McLean in the North End Monday… she told me the pride flags are a reflection of the city and its inclusive values.
“I hear time and again from residents, how joyful it is, how happy they are to see them. And how appalled they are at people's decisions to target [them] and damage property,” McLean.
This cell phone video posted on social media, among others turned into Boise Police.
“I’m fairly confident we’ll be able to figure out a majority of these thefts.”
With estimated damages reaching over a thousand dollars, chief ron winegar tells me suspects could face Grand Theft felony charges
After Saturday night’s suspects tore down multiple flags… city council member Jimmy Hallyburton says he joined dozens of neighbors who spent their Sunday fixing them.
“Jumping in by sewing the flags, jumping in by fixing the poles… and I’ll tell you, if feels really good that when a hateful act like this has been done, to do something about it,”
“The [police] department is investigating, the department will hold them accountable. I just have to reiterate, people are welcome here, this is a loving community.”
