'Thin Blue Line' Flag Removed From Solon Police Property

SOLON, OH — A "Thin Blue Line" flag has been removed from Solon Police headquarters after opposition from some in the community.

"During the brief time that it was up, it caused a divisive and unhealthy reaction within our community," Police Chief Richard Tonelli said in a statement shared on social media.

The flag was flown outside the police department for five weeks, said Lt. William Vajdich. It was flown alongside the U.S. flag, the Ohio flag and the Solon flag. Complaints about the flag were sent to the department via social media and to Mayor Edward Kraus' office.

"It seems a few of our residents took Chief Tonelli’s raising of the “Thin Blue Line” flag on department property to mean something that was clearly not intended. Frankly, this is a product of our current environment and one that tarnishes even the best intentions," Kraus said in a statement.

He added that he requested Tonelli remove the flag.

The flag, Tonelli noted, is intended as a memorial to police officers who died in the line-of-duty. However, the flag has also become a symbol of opposition to the racial justice movement that saw renewed momentum after the murder of George Floyd in the summer of 2020.

"It is unfortunate that the Thin Blue Line imagery has been associated with extreme and divisive views that are counter to our values; nonetheless, we are sensitive to the fact that it alienates us from those we are committed to serve and protect," Tonelli said.

He added that it was never the department's intention to heighten tensions in the community.

"It is important for us to maintain the trust between our officers and citizens," he said.

Predictably, the announcement of the flag's removal prompted further debate online. Some residents claimed the department should have flown the flag in defiance of the neighbor's wishes, others demanded it be taken down despite their support for police.

Mayor Kraus is expected to release a statement on the flag's removal this afternoon. When he does, Patch will update this story.