LGBTQ community frustrated as Aylmer police seek suspects in pride flag theft
Witness reports seeing three youth fleeing in a blue pickup with plate numbers 1500 or 5100
Police in Aylmer, Ont. are trying to identify three suspects after a Pride flag was stolen from a home in the small town, southeast of London.
Police say just after 11:00 p.m. on Friday, they received a call from the homeowner who witnessed three male youths allegedly taking the flag from the residence and fleeing in a blue pickup truck. The witness said the license plate included the numbers 1500 or 5100.
"It's a pretty close knit community. When there's anything that creates a division or demonstrates hate, I think it speaks a little bit louder than it does in larger communities," said Kyle Johnstone, the deputy chief of the Aylmer Police. "The community, just like us, is very disappointed."
While police express their disappointment, and continue their investigation with the intention of laying theft charges, members of the Elgin County LGBTQ community are expressing frustration.
This frustration extends past the most recent incident to other instances of theft and vandalism in the region.
Why are kids afraid of a Pride flag? It's fear that the parents are teaching them.- Martin Withenshaw, Rainbow Optimist Club
In June, three Pride flags were stolen from a different property in Aylmer, and in January of that same year, police responded to another Pride flag theft.
"These need to be designated as hate crimes. There needs to be stricter laws," said Martin Withenshaw, the co-founder of the Rainbow Optimist Club's southwestern Ontario chapter.
Police said the nature of the crime will likely lead investigators to probe potential hate motivators or biases that lead to the theft.
In February, criminal charges against a Tillsonburg, Ont., man accused of stealing and vandalizing Pride flags were quietly dropped. It's not known why, however before they were, many people were furious when the accused was allowed to speak disparagingly about the LGBTQ community for 30 mins at a council meeting.
Withenshaw believes the discrimination starts at a young age, and at home. He said he was disheartened to learn this recent flag theft may have been carried out by youth.
"Why are kids afraid of a Pride flag? It's fear that the parents are teaching them," said Withenshaw, adding outreach and community education programs more important than ever.
Tourism Oxford County offers a business workshop in conjunction with the Rainbow Optimist Club called Safer Spaces that Withenshaw says teaches employees and employers about the needs and issues of LGBTQ staff.
"We feel that we just need to keep on doing what we're doing. People don't know what they don't know," Withenshaw said. "Fear is built from the unknown."
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact Aylmer police (519-773-3144), or St. Thomas Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-TIPS).