A Pride flag is proudly hanging again at the Ladner United Church.
Earlier this week, Delta Police constables Geoff Young and Lee Chapman volunteered to hang a new flag after the Ladner Village location had twice seen flags defaced in the past month. The latest incident took place sometime between Aug. 24-25.
It has resulted in DPD declaring it a hate crime with a full investigation now underway.
There have also been discussions with DPD regarding the installation of outside security cameras and other preventive measures. The flag is at least secured at a higher location above the church entrance to make it more difficult to get to.
In total, Pride flags have been vandalized four times since 2019. The constant attacks have resulted in an uneasy feeling among the LGBTQ+community.
“It’s just disappointment that this is still happening,” said Ladner United Church minister of music Marc Petrunia. “It’s been four flags that we have dropped and they have all been defaced. I thought in the 21st century we would be beyond this.
“It makes me wonder how safe gay and lesbian people are in Ladner if this is still the mentality. I am gay myself and I wonder if I am a target. I have never felt unsafe out there but this just keeps coming. There seems to be this homophobic sentiment around.”
Anyone with information on the Pride flag vandalism can contact police at 604-946-4411 or Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
