For the second year in a row, Oxford County OPP are investigating the theft and vandalization of Pride signage and flags throughout Norwich Township.
The alleged incidents happened between June 9 and 13 on Stover Street, Maple Dell Road, and Norwich Road. Police say the suspect(s) acted during the evening hours. OPP officers are now reviewing video surveillance in these areas.
“The OPP is reminding the public that theft and vandalism are criminal acts and will not be tolerated,” police warned. “Any individual who engages in vandalism or theft may face a criminal charge.”
If you have any information about these incidents, please contact Oxford County OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Around this time last year, multiple Pride flags were damaged and stripped from their poles, leading to the arrest of two people. One of those suspects, a 47-year-old man, attended a Norwich council meeting to voice his opinion on the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, comparing Pride to Nazi Germany.
More recently in Norwich, all non-government flags were banned from municipal property all while the township refused to proclaim June as Pride month. These decisions were the result of a split-vote by Norwich town council. Alisha Stubbs, who was serving as councilor for Ward 2 and stood vehemently against the flag ban, resigned from her post in an act of protest.
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