Pride flag at Delta church damaged, police looking for suspect

Police in Delta are asking for help finding the person responsible for damaging a Pride flag at a church in Ladner.

The flag was hung from the entranceway at the Ladner United Church.

On Tuesday, someone went to the church at about 3:30 a.m. with their face hidden and tried to cover up the surveillance camera. That attempt failed, and the suspect’s actions were caught on video.

“He’s carrying a large pole … kind of like an extension pole that you might see a painter use. At the end of that pole, it has some kind of an edge, like a knife for something sharp that’s attached to the end of it,” Staff Sgt. James Sandberg explained.

“He looks around, approaches the flag, and essentially uses this pole to stab the flag and kind of slice it and shred it.”

The flag was destroyed, but the bigger issue is the intentional damaging of a symbol of love, inclusivity, and pride.

“It’s not acceptable. It is damaging. It’s symbolism of of hate, and it needs to stop,” Sandberg said.

Several City of Delta Pride Flags that were attached to light standards on Ladner Trunk Road were also damaged in a similar way. Police are looking into whether the same person may have damaged those flags.

“The material cost of a flag is minimal, but the damage to the fabric of our community is significant,” said Chief Constable Neil Dubord.

“There is no room for hate or intolerance in our communities, and we are asking for the assistance of the public to solve this senseless crime.”

The suspect in the incident at the church was wearing all black clothing and a blue neck and face covering. If you have any information, you’re asked to call the Delta Police Department at 604-946-4411 and reference file 22-14382. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.