Pride flags in St. Johns, Duval counties stolen during pride month

Florida — Pride flags were reportedly stolen in St. Johns and Duval counties during pride month.

A Mandarin man who lives in the Hammock Oaks subdivision said his pride flag was vandalized seven times in the last month.

In celebration of pride month, Joseph Allen hung the pride flag on a brick wall on his property.

He said what bothers him the most is what he believes is the motive behind the vandalism.

“You’re stealing a pride flag. They’re ripping a pride flag. They’re tearing a pride flag. That kind of indicates a hate crime to me,” Allen said.

Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson said gender and sexuality are recognized as protected categories under hate crime.

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Carson said investigators would need more evidence about the suspect’s motive to determine if it was a prank or if the flags were vandalized because of someone’s sexual orientation.

Over in St. Augustine Beach, a couple had their rainbow color flag stolen Sunday, according to a police report. Their home was egged the next day.

Allen said he won’t let the vandals discourage him.

“You can’t always change hearts and minds, but you can take a stand against the hate,” Allen said.

He said he has 50 spare pride flags. He said he’s considering flying the pride flag year-round.

Allen also plans to install a security camera to hopefully catch the suspect.

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