Californian City Divided Over Keeping Flag Design On Police Cars

Photo Courtesy of Laguna Beach Police Department

You wouldn’t think displaying the American flag would be something people would be something American citizens disagree on. But in the city of Laguna Beach, CA apparently, it is. An American flag design had been added to a handful of freshly painted Laguna Beach police cars but is now causing debate among residents.

The city council is reportedly planning to discuss whether to keep the new stars and stripes logo within the word “police” or to choose another option. According to the Los Angeles Times, some residents felt the flag design was too aggressive while others were shocked that anyone would object to the flag.

Local artist Carrie Woodburn said that it was shocking to see the boldness of the design.

“We have such an amazing community of artists here, and I thought the aesthetic didn’t really represent our community,” Woodburn said. “It feels very aggressive.”

The city council agreed earlier this year to repaint the all-white fleet in black and white with the image of the flag going through the word “police”. According to the Los Angeles Times, the graphic the council unanimously approved at that time was a more muted version of what wound up being painted on.

However, not everyone thinks the flag design needs to go.

Attorney Jennifer Welsh Zeiter said she found the look “exceptional” and questioned who could object to the display and President of the Laguna Beach Police Employees Association, Cpl. Ryan Hotchkiss, said he’s only received positive feedback.

“Every time I came to a stop sign, every time I came to a red light, somebody is telling me the car looks great,” Hotchkiss said at a March meeting. “Every one of our members that drives the car loves it, and we look forward to keeping them the way they are.”

The Laguna Beach City Manager said the council would reconsider the logo “out of an abundance of caution to address questions that have been raised about the process.”