Pride Flags Damaged In NJ Town, Police Seek Tips

MULLICA HILL, NJ - Local police are investigating reported damage to several LGBTQ+ pride flags hanging in a New Jersey town over the weekend.

Between 8 p.m. Saturday and 8 p.m. Sunday, an unknown person or persons damaged four of the town's multi-colored pride flags attached to light posts near 100 Mullica Hill Road, the Harrison Township Police Department said in a statement.

The word "PRIDE" was specifically removed from each of the flags, police said.

No arrests have been made to date. Those with information regarding the incident can submit a tip to the Harrison Township Police Department here.

This isn’t the first incident of its kind this year. In May, Morristown’s Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, an LGBTQ-affirming church, had its welcome sign vandalized less than 12 hours after Pride flags were put on display. The flags, which are always displayed during Pride month, were installed a few days ahead of schedule in honor of a lesbian community member whose funeral was held at the church.

Last year, a Frenchtown man was charged in the theft of multiple LGBTQ+ pride flags from the borough and tossing them in the Delaware River. Area resident Justin T. Settembrino, 30, was charged last August with bias intimidation and related charges.