SALISBURY, Maryland – An investigation is underway after a local house of worship reported theft.
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Salisbury released a statement on social media Wednesday saying a Pride flag and a Black Lives Matter flag had been stolen from their property. Several members individually reached out to Salisbury PFLAG executive director Mark DeLancey. He told WMDT that such a crime can be worse in some ways than a physical altercation.
“If it’s something physical, you can go to the doctor and get it over with. But something like this reinforces the psychological trauma that many LGBTQ people go through on a daily basis,” DeLancey said.
In its statement, the UUSF concluded: “The flags will be replaced. We will respond to this act not with fear, not with anger, but with love, resilience and an even stronger commitment to the mission of our faith.”
The question remains as to the legal consequences for those responsible for the stolen flags.
DeLancey called this a hate crime: “Find out who they are, what their names are, and of course prosecute the perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law, because this is considered a hate crime.”
However, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office said the incident is not currently being investigated as a hate crime, but rather as a case of theft.
The sheriff’s office said it has already conducted a sweep of the neighborhood and will return for another one to gather more information.
If you have information or have observed suspicious activity, you can submit an anonymous tip online or contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office at 410-948-4891.
