By Liz McBreen
During a ten day period in May, nine American flags belonging to residents were burned. The flags were being displayed outside homes on Rintin Street, Grange Street, Commonwealth Street, Fenworth Boulevard and Claflin Bouelvard. According to Police Officer and Crime Analyst Stan Slevinski at the Fifth Precinct, "The number and gender of the suspect(s) is unknown right now."
He went on to explain that patrols and special detail units are being dispatched around the area during the hours that the burnings occurred in hopes of catching the perpetrators. "We thought we had a chance of catching someone over the holiday (Memorial Day) weekend, but there were no incidents reported since the Thursday before."
Slevinski said that once they are caught, the suspects will be charged with arson in the fifth degree in some cases where the side of the homes also caught fire. In the cases where only the flag burned, he, she or they will be charged with criminal mischief. The burnings occurred from May 13 to May 23 between 7:00 in the evening and 11:00 in the morning.
Assemblyman Tom Alfano and Fire Commissioner for the Franklin Square & Munson Fire Department, Doris Griffin called the incidents incredibly sad for the community while the nation is at a war on terrorism. "While we as a nation are pulling together, we cannot let someone break our spirit in Franklin Square," said Griffin.
"Whoever the coward is who would burn a flag and cause damage to a home has to be stopped before somebody gets hurt," said Alfano. Since most of the incidents occurred during the night, placing residents in danger, Alfano added, "Burning our flag in the dead of night says it all about the person who perpetrated this act. Clearly the neighbors have to be on the lookout and be vigilant about watching out for further incidents."
Griffin, who is a neighbor of one of the victims, noted, "This really hurts our neighborhood and, as a neighbor, I am relieved that a serious fire hasn't broken out and caused serious damage."
Anyone with information about these incidents are urged to call the Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. The $2,000 reward is being offered for any information that leads to an arrest in the case.
