A Pride banner that is hanging at the corner of South Livingston Avenue and Northfield Road during June’s Pride month was slashed on two separate occasions last week.
“That’s not something that should happen in Livingston, but it did, and I’m very disappointed,” Mayor Michael Vieira said. “I’m sorry that it happened here in Livingston.”
After the second incident, cameras were installed to monitor the area. Previously, none of the nearby businesses had cameras that surveilled that specific area.
The banner was subsequently repaired, as well.
The Livingston Police Department confirmed that a complaint of criminal mischief related to the banner was filed on Monday, and the investigation is ongoing.
In addition to the installation of cameras, the incidents were reported to the state as a bias crime.
Mayor Vieira noted that he also received voicemails from an individual who called to complain about recent Pride and Juneteenth events in town. The voicemails were subsequently forwarded to the Livingston Police Department.
With pic: Pride Flag The Pride banner at the corner of South Livingston Avenue and Northfield Road was vandalized twice. Shown above is the banner with slashes through it. Shilpa Kulkarni Photo
