SPOKANE, Wash. — Persistent acts of vandalism against Pride murals in Spokane have spread from facilities and murals to the front steps of people's homes.
Vandalism against symbols of LGBTQ Pride continue to plague Spokane's Perry District. This time, vandals targeted the home of Paul Dillon, who's running for Spokane City Council District 2. Ring camera footage shows a person in a mask ripping down the candidate's Pride flag from his front porch before running away.
Dillon's home wasn't the only target for vandals Thursday evening. One resident, Janelle Smith, didn't expect smashed pumpkins and torn down Pride flags when she came to work Friday morning.
"The vandalism and everything that's been going on is horrible, and it is kind of insane," Smith said.
Smith owns Wishing Tree Books in the Perry District, a well-known local business that sells Pride books.
"Not angry so much as just sad and worried for people," Smith said. "Especially for the kids of Odyssey. This is their happy place, their safe place. And it's starting not probably to feel that way to them."
Her business was just one of a several houses and businesses that were vandalized overnight. Earlier this week, Odyssey Youth Center in the Perry District was vandalized three days in a row. They had their Pride crosswalk painted over and inappropriate words written on their wall.
"Having this happen and happen and happen and happen, I sadly think it is getting on peoples nerves, but you know, it's it's making people a little tense," Smith said.
The repeated vandalism caught the attention of Spokane City Council.
"The LGBTQ community in the neighborhood at large now is kind of under attack," council member Zack Zappone said.
Zappone identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community. Next week, he will introduce a resolution to address these acts.
"It's just a public statement denouncing hate asking the city to prosecute and I might add emphasis patrols on there," Zappone said.
KREM 2 received Ring video where three people wearing all black stole a Pride flag from resident Jan Shannon's front porch.
"I just don't understand the hate," Shannon said.
Shannon says this past week's act of vandalism make her feel uneasy. Police stopped by the houses and businesses that were vandalized and they are currently investigating.
"It's just a fabulous neighborhood. That isn't going to change regardless of what happens," Smith said.
Earlier this week, Spokane Police said they are not investigating the vandalism as hate crimes. KREM 2 reached out to police to ask if that has changed, and at this time, it is still unclear.
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