A Lynnfield group, concerned about an uptick in racially-motivated vandalism against residents displaying Black Lives Matters (BLM) signage on their properties, has launched a new initiative it hopes will help put an end to hate-based crimes.
Police Chief David Breen said there have been multiple reports of incidents involving theft of and vandalism of BLM lawn signs over the past several weeks.
The vandalism has proven to be the inspiration for Lynnfield for Love’s (LFL) “Chalk Your Walk” initiative. In partnership with the town, LFL is asking Lynnfield residents to “show us your love for Black Lives.
“We are doing this in direct response to what we have seen what has been happening around our town and to stand as a community to say hate has no place in our town,” said LFL Secretary Jessica Tortola. “This is not what Lynnfield is. Lynnfield is about supporting the two families who were targeted, as a community. It’s about standing up for our neighbors and for Black Lives Matter. We are just excited to be able to partner with the Town of Lynnfield. It’s time to take back our town and stop what’s been happening here permanently.”
Residents are invited to create inspiring designs and messages of love, hope and tolerance on their sidewalks and driveways or put signs up in a window. LFL is providing downloadable designs on its Facebook page. Residents are encouraged to take photos of their artwork and share them on social media and tag LFL at #LynnfieldForLove or send them directly via messenger, then share.
Breen said the police are actively investigating all reported incidents. After one recent incident of a woman stealing a BLM sign was captured on a home security camera, police posted the video on social media. Police also posted a photo showing “offensive graffiti vandalism in front of a home that also had their sign taken from their front yard.”
The video led to the identification of the woman. Police have filed an application for a criminal complaint with Peabody District Court. Breen said a probable cause hearing will be held before a magistrate later this month.
A Sept. 7 incident involving fireworks set off near a Yorkshire Drive home with a Black Lives Matter sign was originally suspected to have been racially motivated, but, following a police investigation, was determined not to be. Police received a report at 8:49 p.m. of an explosion of fireworks or other device in front of the home. The incident sparked a flood of social media posts decrying the incident as racist.
There was no damage to any signage or to the property, but the incident was alarming to the occupants of the house and other residents.
“As the property contained signage in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, the community and local officials were concerned that the incident was related to past incidents of racist and intolerant graffiti and property damage in the community,” Breen said.
After interviewing three juveniles who came forward to take responsibility for the detonation of the fireworks, and their parents, police determined the incident was not a hate crime.
“I know people were characterizing this as a hate crime, but there is nothing that indicates it was,” said Breen. “”We are sharing the information with the District Attorney’s office nonetheless.”
Breen said the teenagers, who have not been identified because they are juveniles, said they had been using fireworks at a nearby parking lot and “stopped to shoot off a final round of fireworks before returning home for the night.” After being interviewed by police, they apologized to two family members and took responsibility for their actions, stating that the signage at the home was not the motivation for the decision to launch the fireworks. Breen said the juveniles apologized to the homeowner in the spirit of “Love Thy Neighbor,” one of the signs displayed at the property and that school officials have been informed, adding that they will work with police on a “restorative justice plan.”
“Lynnfield Police continue to investigate previous incidents of hate speech, graffiti and property damage related to Black Lives Matter,” said Breen.
