A hate crime investigation is underway in San Leandro after a Pride flag hanging outside of a gay couple's home was set on fire. According to KRON4, the incident was caught on the couple's security camera and occurred on Wednesday. Surveillance footage depicts a man igniting the flag and nonchalantly observing the blaze before leaving the scene.
Daniel Montgomery and Nick Garcia, the couple whose flag was vandalized, told KTVU they were shocked to discover the burnt remnants of their rainbow flag. They reviewed their home security footage, revealing the suspect's deliberate act of destruction at around 6:30 AM. "Even with the sensor lights going off, they didn't have regard for it and still did it. So the mission was clear: to destroy property and make us fearful and be hurtful," Garcia said.
The flag had been raised outside their home for the first time this year as a symbol of visibility and safety in response to the current political climate. "This is the first year we've ever had a flag out, just as a response to what's happening politically, you know, and we needed people walking by to see us for one, but also let people know we are a safe spot," Garcia elucidated, per KTVU. The flames were fortunately contained and did not spread to the house.
Following the flag burning, Lt. Abe Teng of the San Leandro Police Department emphasized the importance of home security footage in crime resolution. "We had 1,000 Ring cameras that we were giving to residents and business owners in town. And part of that is to increase the camera coverage so that when any crime happens, especially ones like this that target specific communities, it gives us more tools," Teng told KTVU.
