COLUMBUS, Ohio — Several pride flags were stolen over the weekend at homes along South 5th Street in the German Village neighborhood.
Anthony Meyer said he woke up Sunday morning and noticed three of his pride flags were gone. After reviewing his surveillance video, he saw three people arrived outside of his home in a minivan.
“[The] two first kind of jumped out over the fence, came in and ripped off two so some parts were still fastened to the ceiling. Then, another gentleman came back and grabbed the third one,” Meyer said.
Meyer and Tyler Mason are two of several people who had their pride flags stolen in the area. Mason said he was surprised someone took the flags.
“We have never had anything taken before. They came behind a gate on our porch, which most people don’t come beyond the gate,” said Mason.
Tim Bibler, who had his pride flag stolen and lives down the street, said he was disappointed.
“This kind of open discrimination or action against people, dividing people creates this kind of situation where people feel free to do these acts,” Bibler said.
Neighbors said the flags being stolen won’t steal the pride of the neighborhood. Pride flags have been donated to those who had their flags stolen.
“We have so many awesome neighbors who reached out and said 'What can we do? Can we make a donation? Can we buy a flag or hang a flag?'” said Mason.
Now, Mason has a new goal for Pride Month. One that includes more flags and decorations.
“We are hoping to kind of paint German Village and the south end in rainbow for the rest of Pride Month once we get these flags delivered,” said Mason.
“I think it’s a good message to say the community is stronger than this and it brings us tighter and back together,” said Meyer.
The Columbus Division of Police said it received of one report of a pride flag being stolen on Mohawk Street on June 9, which is two blocks west of South 5th Street. While police said there is mention in the report of other pride flags being stolen from the area, there were no other reports to share.