Pride flag repeatedly stolen from outside Cedar Park church

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Leaders from the Church of the Savior said they’ve had to get creative to outsmart thieves that have targeted its LGBTQ+ pride flag in recent weeks.

The church bills itself as a progressive congregation that affirms people from diverse backgrounds including gender identity and sexual orientation.

Damon Smith, church trustee, said he joined the church just a few months ago and was disappointed it didn’t display a pride flag because they’d been frequently stolen in the past.

Smith said he purchased a flag and mounting kit, affixing both to the church’s main sign off Little Elm Trail about a month ago. Since then, the flag has been stolen four times, the latest taking place just this week.

The Cedar Park Police Department confirmed this last theft was reported and it is aware of the repeat flag thefts at the church.

Smith said the flag has been recovered each time thanks to new measures he put in place, but declined to say just how he tracks the flags once they’re taken. He did say he uses motion-activated security cameras to catch thieves when they strike.

“I’ve got a flag recovery rate of 100%,” Smith said.

Upon those recoveries, Smith and Rev. Dr. Mark Dowell said the motivations behind the thefts have been different each time.

Smith said one was a group of boys that stole the flag on a dare, another was an adult man that took it because he disagrees with what the flag represents and said it clashes with his Christian beliefs.

Dowell said he’d like the thefts to stop, but ultimately wants to ensure the church’s progressive message isn’t overshadowed by hate.

“You are welcome here. So it’s not about us just being this or that, it’s about everybody is welcome,” Dowell said.

Dowell and Smith said they think thefts have picked up in recent weeks because of the visibility created for the LGBTQ community during Pride month.

Dowell said the church has been vandalized in the past for its beliefs, and if that happens again or these thefts don’t stop, the church will consider pressing criminal charges.

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