ORLANDO, Fla. – A Delaney Park homeowner says a group of youths was caught on his Ring doorbell camera ripping down a pride flag that had been flying in front of his house.
Kyle Wilton, who has lived in the neighborhood for two years, said he had never experienced problems displaying the flag. He returned from a trip to find the flag missing and reviewed footage from his Ring doorbell, which he provided to News 6.
The video shows a couple of young people jumping over his fence, rushing to the flagpole, tearing the flag down and running off.
“I went back on our camera, which, thank goodness, we had something to document it with, and saw this group of kids, apparently, you know, younger kids just jump up, run over our fence, you know, just jump on a flagpole, rip it down and run off,” Wilton said.
Wilton filed a police report and also notified Florida State Rep. Anna Eskamani about the incident. She told News 6 that recently, she is hearing about more disturbing incidents against the LGBT community. She said she thinks it stems from the current political climate.
The theft has left Wilton questioning whether he is welcome in his own neighborhood.
“It makes you stop and question, you know, am I welcome here? And is this, you know, a product of the world we’re living in today and the challenges,” he said. “We call it the pride flag. But it’s unity. It represents unity for us — that’s why we keep it up.”
Wilton has urged anyone with additional information or relevant footage to come forward.
A week after News 6 reported on the incident, Orlando police said they are asking for the “community’s help in identifying two suspects involved in a residential burglary and criminal mischief incident on Briercliff Drive in the Delaney Park neighborhood.”
Police ask that anyone who recognizes the suspects or has information about the case to contact Det. Denise Conroy at 321-235-5300 or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous.