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By James Smith
The police are investigating a vandalism incident that targeted Pride flags at a Ladner Church.
The Delta Police Department has released CCTV footage taken overnight, on September 22, which shows an unidentified man riding a bicycle approaching Ladner United Church. He then breaks two of the windows that were displaying Pride flags.
The DPD hopes that the YouTube video posted on its page will assist in identifying the suspect.
A man wearing dark clothes, including a backpack, mask and hat, appears in the video. The police note that the bike is unique, with its light brake lines, fenders and front shocks, mounted on a bike of dark frame.
If you recognize the rider or his bike, please contact Delta Police Department by calling 604-946-4411 (or CrimeStoppers 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and quoting file number 2023-22624.
Ladner’s United Church, which has supported the 2SLGBTQI+ Community since 2014 has displayed a Pride Flag outside its entrance. The incident last month was at least the 7th time the church had been attacked for this support.
The Pride flag that flies outside of the main church entrance has been defaced twice with black paint in the last 12 days.
The original flag, which was defaced in August 2021 and rehung after it was adorned with large hearts to cover up the damage, was torn. Two weeks later, a new flag, painted black, was vandalized.
A man in his fifties or sixties was captured on video in July last year striking the Progress Pride Flag outside the main church entrance using a sharply-edged long pole. The flag tore in multiple places.
The church displayed the flag inside the window since then to deter further vandalism.
In the morning of May 31st, someone painted black on the entrance to the church and the windows of the minister’s office. Both locations were displaying Pride and Progress Pride Flags.
The police are investigating the incident as a hate crime against the 2SLGBTQI+ and church communities. They noted in an earlier press release that Pride Flags were symbolic of both groups and can be viewed as acts of discrimination or hatred.
The release says that “defacing or damaging flags” is not only illegal but also disrespectful, and hurtful for the community of 2SLGBTQI+.
The police reported in June that the church had made five reports of incidents over the last two-and-ahalf years. This latest complaint brings the total up to six. Each previous report was thoroughly investigated, but no suspects could be identified.
The DPD stated at that time, “Rest assured the Delta Police Department is committed to conducting an extensive investigation into the most recent incident.”
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