Man Who Tore Down Pride Flags In Morris Co. Community Charged, Officials Say

MADISON, NJ — After multiple LGBTQ Pride flags were ripped down and thrown away in Madison, officials say they've charged a 21-year-old resident with criminal mischief.

The borough has been displaying the rainbow flags downtown since 2019 to mark Pride Month, Mayor Robert H. Conley noted.

Police first learned about the incident on Sunday, when someone reported that six flags had been removed from their posts around the Madison Clock. Several were found damaged nearby.

Investigators looked through surveillance footage from a Waverly Place business, which captured a suspect "removing the flags and discarding them in a trash receptacle in front of the Chase Bank" around 5 a.m. Sunday, said officials.

Officers arrested the man at his home, took him to police headquarters for processing, and later released him on a complaint summons ahead of an appearance in Madison Joint Municipal Court.

Borough Police have been working with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office "to ensure the incident did not meet the threshold of a biased crime," authorities said.

Police officers recovered the flags and kept them in the Public Safety Building until Monday, when the Public Works Department could repair and replace them. All six flags are back on display, said officials on Monday.

Police Chief John Miscia commended his officers for their quick response in investigating and apprehending a suspect.

"We take this act very seriously, and this type of behavior has no place in Madison or anywhere else," he said.

Conley added that the Pride flags are displayed "to recognize all LGBTQIA+ residents whose influential and lasting contributions make Madison a vibrant community in which to live, work, and visit." He also thanked police and Public Works for their speedy recovery of the flags.

"Madison is a welcoming community, and the acts that occurred over the weekend were a prime example of what type of behavior will not be tolerated in Madison," he said.