EL CAJON POLICE ARREST MAN FOR DAMAGING AMERICAN FLAGS ON VETERANS DAY ALONG MAIN STREET

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By Robert Gehr

Update November 13, 2016:  Jarred  Jefferson, 22, has been charged with felony vandalism for destroying or damaging 13 flags,  as well as two counts of obstructing an officer, NBC 7 News reports.  Poles were broken and some flags thrown in the street, where vehicles ran over them.  The flags had been put up by a local Boy Scout troop.

November 12, 2016 (El Cajon) — El Cajon Police arrested a young man yesterday morning who was reported to be damaging American flags displayed along Main Street in downtown El Cajon in recognition of Veteran’s Day.

Witnesses called El Cajon Police to report a man vandalizing American flags and it didn’t take very long for a Police officer to arrive, track down the perpetrator and make contact. The suspect did resist initial attempts by the first officer on scene attempting to arrest him, but was eventually taken into custody after another officer responded and aided in controlling the uncooperative man.

I witnessed the tail end of this altercation, though not the alleged crimes or initial take-down of the suspect. Here are my thoughts:

It’s a sad thing to know that someone showed such blatant disrespect for our flag. The flag represents us - every man, woman and child who lives in the United States. Our way of life, our freedoms, our democracy.

No one should show such a callous attitude toward the red, white and blue and what it means, especially on a day when we honor our veterans who fought in the past for our country and its citizens, including the many who have died over the years defending our homeland.

Editor’s note:  East County Magazine has contacted El Cajon Police to ask whether a motive has been found for allegedly defacing multiple American flags. This is not protected free speech, since the flags destroyed were part of a public display, not private property owned by the person who destroyed them.


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