Several Pride flags were stolen from Downtown Burien early Saturday morning, June 8, 2024, according to officials, and surveillance video shows three suspects caught in the act.
The theft occurred around 2:30 a.m., when a security guard observed and chased a young male suspect downtown near Burien Town Square, sources said. The suspect escaped.
This has happened several times since Burien Pride first started in 2017, including from residents’ homes last year.
“Pretty much all but about a dozen around the festival area” were taken, Debra George, Executive Director of Discover Burien told The B-Town Blog.
The stolen flags were part of the decorations for Pride Month as well as for this weekend’s Burien Pride Festival, an event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community expected to draw large crowds to the downtown area. The theft has raised concerns among organizers and community members about the impact on the festivities and the message it sends.
“While this makes us sad and angry, these haters will not keep us down,” Burien Pride said. “Come out today and show them that they can’t ruin Pride with their petty actions.”
Authorities are investigating the incident and reviewing security footage to identify and apprehend the suspect. The Burien community is urged to come together and support the Pride Festival despite this setback.
Burien Pride and Discover Burien are appealing to the public for any information related to the theft. They also encourage the community to help replace the stolen flags to ensure the festival area remains vibrant and inclusive.
Surveillance Video
Below is surveillance camera video shot on SW 152nd Street near 10th Ave SW in Olde Burien showing three thieves – including one on an electric scooter – caught in the act between 2:42 – 3:02 a.m.:
As we gather more information on this theft, we’ll update this post.
Police Seeking Public’s Help
If anyone has any information about this theft, they are asked to call Burien Police’s non-emergency phone number at (206) 296-3311.
Imagine the type of coward you have to be to spend the middle of the night removing what gives many people in your community joy. Imagine how devoid of kindness you have to be to feel so threatened by the very existence of others that you resort to vandalism. Ultimately you have to live with yourself and your actions. Whoever you are I hope you feel proud.