The Delray Beach Police Department has arrested a 19-year-old Florida man for vandalizing an “LGBTQ pride crosswalk” in the city.
The incident occurred on February 4 and footage released by the department shows a Ram pickup, with a large flag, performing a burnout on rainbow painted pavers. As the truck drives off, you can see two new tire marks covering the display.
The City of Delray Beach said witnesses contacted the police department and told them the man was “intentionally performing multiple burnouts” at the intersection, which is a “symbol of unity and inclusivity for the LGBTQ community.”
The city added that multiple people came forward with video of the incident and Dylan Brewer turned himself in on February 12. The city said he didn’t provide a statement to law enforcement, but the police department noted his “reckless action caused significant damage to the streetscape painting.” As a result, he was charged with reckless driving and felony criminal mischief over $1,000 (£796 / €932).
The South Florida Sun Sentinel noted the intersection was previously vandalized in 2021 and the display was paid for, in part, by the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. That group claimed the truck was sporting a “TRUMP” flag, although the quality of the video makes that hard to confirm.
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Regardless, the incident recalls a similar controversy that occurred in Canada when a Ford Mustang allegedly “defaced” a rainbow-colored crosswalk near the West Vancouver Police Department. However, video of that incident wasn’t nearly as compelling.