SLO police searching for suspect in string of hate crimes downtown. Do you know him?
San Luis Obispo police are looking for a man suspected of placing burned political signs and Pride flags at local businesses downtown in what they’re calling a series of hate crimes.
In several incidents reported Wednesday, the burned political signs and flags were found affixed to doors or draped across doorways in multiple locations, police said in a news release.
GALA Pride and Diversity Center on Palm Street said it was one of the businesses targeted, and surveillance photos show the suspect outside Humankind on Monterey Street.
The burned items included Biden/Harris yard signs and flags that represented the LGBTQ+ community and Ukraine, police said.
The signs and flags had “religious statements” written on them.
The man did not light the items on fire at the locations where they were placed, police said, so arson is not suspected. The incidents are currently being investigated as hate crimes and determining whether other charges are applicable.
The Police Department received similar reports in June on the 900 block of Monterey. Surveillance footage shows the suspect appears to be the same man in both incidents.
The man had a noticeable white beard and was wearing cargo shorts and a dark T-shirt, photos show.
Police ask anyone who has information on the identity of the man to call 805-781-7312 and reference 240724011.
GALA Pride and Diversity Center targeted by string of hate crimes
The GALA Pride and Diversity Center said in an Instagram post that it was one of three businesses targeted by the string of hate crimes.
On Wednesday morning, the organization said, burned rainbow flag garlands and a burned Ukrainian flag were draped over their sign and front yard and burned Biden/Harris signs were strewn on their porch.
A burned rainbow flag garland was also draped over the handle of the front door.
When GALA reported the crime to police, the post said, police told them two other local businesses were targeted in a similar fashion. Those businesses had rainbows up during Pride month, GALA said.
The organization spoke to the other businesses and found out they had been targeted in a similar way during Pride month, with rainbow flags and decorations.
“We stand in solidarity with out neighbors and condemn this hateful act of violence,” GALA said.
GALA said the incident is a reminder that “hatred remains in San Luis Obispo.”
Since it reopened in 2021, the center has been repeatedly targeted with hateful letters taped to the door or mailed to them. Their sign was also stolen on one occasion.
“These acts are a reflection of what is acceptable in a country that, according to the ACLU, proposed 510 anti-LGBTQ bills in 2023 and has proposed 527 anti-LGBTQ laws in 2024 SO FAR,” GALA wrote in the post. “Our work to further inclusion and understanding for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions is more vital than ever.”
