I fly the Gadsden, http://www.foundingfathers.info/stories/gadsden.html or did, Friday night Gadsden disappeared.  I attributed disappearance to neigborhood pranksters, having had zest for backyard camping myself in my youth.  This morning family discussed Gadsden’s disappearance, I am only member that believes someone took the flag because they wanted it.

Following letter sent to Sheriff after flags disappearance details my opinion regarding this matter.  All other family members and their friends are of the opinion flag was taken by someone, or group, that doesn’t approve thinking it is symbol of rebellion not appreciated in this area.  What say you?

----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2007 1:32 AM
Subject: Local crime statistics
Dear Mr. Barnett
I googled Hamilton County Sheriff, clicked “contact us” on first link provided, a page appeared with your photo in upper left hand corner with email address Why did I do this? I want to report a crime, someone has stolen my flag.
My wife took our dog out, a nightly ritual, approaching porch she noticed our flag was missing. Upon investigation I discovered rope that flag was fastened to had been cut allowing flag to fall, thieves then unfasten hooks leaving with flag.

I dialed 911 in an attempt to report this criminal activity. Pleasant woman said she would send a deputy right away. Weighing value of property loss against cost imposed by such action, including, but not limited to: responding, filling out report, filing report, ensuing investigation, and follow up it seems to me a dubious endeavor. I told her to never mind, she said someone would call, I was one phone with daughter when deputy called, deputy left message to call again if I needed assistance, I decided to contact you, will you assist me?

May I suggest an alternate solution? Petty crimes should be reported, I don’t doubt a group of local children absconded with my flag, hopefully it was merely youthful exuberance exhibited during neighborhood camp out. Perhaps they had spied my flag earlier, planning their heist they noticed flags rope needed to be cut, they then remembered to hide dads buck knife with the bananas and Oreos packed away for their night in the back yard. Nevertheless, these small crimes need to be reported, for no other reason than a history to track patterns, youthful exuberance might lead to organized gang activity.

Certainly this report shouldn’t require an armed agent in pimped out sheriffs car equipped with all the latest crime fighting gizmos,. I would recommend establishing link on web site where citizens can report crimes such as this one. Perhaps by zip codes or census tracts, anything other than taking a deputy out of patrol where their presence would be more productive in fighting crime. Run that up the flag pole.

Sincerely,

Stephen Dapper
Mount Carmel (Anderson township, but I try not to say that, people tend to get wrong impression)

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