SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. (WCAX) – A number of North Country residents are condemning a potentially hate-motivated attack in Saranac Lake.
For many homeowners, flags are a point of pride and a way to show what they stand for. In the case of one Saranac Lake resident, their transgender flags were the target of what police are investigating as a possible hate crime.
“If the thought was fear and intimidation and driving us out, yeah, that’s not going to happen,” said Kelly Metzgar with the Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance. She says starting in 2022, vandals have targeted her various pride and transgender pride flags. “Someone had yanked the bracket, dislodged the flag, and just thrown it in the dirt and the mud at that time in front of the house.”
Since then, she says her home has been vandalized several times, including this year. “This is getting a little ridiculous, I think, but this is a series of attacks, so it is just not one and done, it is over a year and a half,” Metzgar said.
In New York, vandalizing property is only a misdemeanor, but if there is evidence of bias, it falls under the hate crime law.
“We are not going to tolerate any biased behavior,” said Saranac Lake Police Chief Darin Perrotte. He says the department is investigating and has even tried to assist with temporary cameras to catch the attackers. “To the individuals that may be involved, we are not going to tolerate this type of behavior in the community. You know, like I said, Saranac Lake is a very accepting community.”
Metzgar appreciates the support but worries the attacks could get worse. “Where is this going to escalate? And even if it’s not me, are they going to do this to someone else,” she said.
