After at least two police calls deemed by authorities as hate incidents, Stockton police issued a statement over the weekend vowing to fully investigate any potential criminal acts directed at the LGBTQ+ community.
“The Stockton Police Department has been made aware of a few hate incidents occurring in our city. We strongly condemn all acts of hate, including those targeting the LGBTQ+ community,” the department wrote on social media. “These crimes are unacceptable and will be investigated with the utmost seriousness.”
Officer Omer Edhah, a department spokesperson, cited two of the incidents that occurred last week.
On Wednesday, someone threw a brick through the window of a building displaying a transgender Pride flag in the 900 block of north El Dorado Street, then fled. Officers responded and took a report.
A day later, someone stole a Pride flag being displayed at a home in the Yosemite Street Village area. Officers responded, but the thief had left the scene.
Edhah said it’s not clear whether the two incidents are related and noted the investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been made.
Last month, the Stockton City Council unanimously approved a resolution that directs city staff to display the Pride flag every year during the first week of June, the start of Pride Month. The same resolution also orders the flags of the respective U.S. military branches to be flown on their dates of establishment.
The resolution was aimed at ending debates of flag displays that had divided the council in previous years.
Against that backdrop, the Police Department vowed to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ citizens, along with all others.
“We are committed to protecting every member of our community, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” the department said in a statement. “Hate has no place in our city. We will continue to strive for a more inclusive and secure future for all.”