POULSBO, Wash. — Police in Poulsbo are looking to the public for information after someone slashed nearly all LGBTQ+ pride banners downtown over the weekend.
As of Monday, they believe the act was intentional and premeditated.
Poulsbo Police Department Sgt. Shawn Ziemann describes the act as more than petty vandalism – investigators say that because of the dollar amount of damage, this now constitutes a felony.
The alleged vandal was caught on a storefront video camera on Front Street around 3:45 a.m. Saturday. The person appears to be carrying a long pole equipped with a cutter and is wearing gloves and a face covering.
“Poulsbo supports the pride community (and) we take it personally and we’re doing everything we can trying to figure this out,” Ziemann said.
By Saturday morning, residents woke up to find most of the 14 pride banners placed by the city to celebrate Pride Month were slashed. For Pam Keeley, a longtime gay rights activist – the vandalism reminds her of a time not so long ago when it felt as if it was not okay to be gay.
“It takes me right back there – it zooms right by thanks to the progress and the solidarity that we’ve developed over these decades, there’s not that sense of isolation,” said Keeley of the nonprofit Poulsbo for All.
The signs did not remain torn for long – the cuts were mended by a community member with the damage enhanced not hidden.
“I see them now as a sign of healing – they represent, unfortunately, the violence against the LGBT community, but they also represent the healing that can come out of this sort of harassment,” a board member of the nonprofit Poulsbo Pride said.
The pink yarn stitching the tears now directs your attention to the damage, as what could have been a defect is now a symbol of strength. Poulsbo Pride, the organization, is only in its second year – they say this event has brought out supporters like never before.
“The vast majority have been, ah, the outpouring of love has been really beautiful, over the last couple of days, it’s been really touching,” Artemyess continued.
And when Pride Month is over, at the end of June, these signs won’t be thrown away – instead, they’ll be preserved – always to be a reminder of the good that can come from bad.
Police say they are investigating this act of vandalism just like they would any other crime towards persons or property – they are asking for the community to come forward if they have video or any additional information.