Laguna Beach police cars will keep American flag logo despite some objection
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LAGUNA BEACH — After a new patriotic red, white and blue logo on Laguna Beach police vehicles became a topic of national debate, this week, the Laguna Beach City Council on Tuesday, April 16, ruled that the graphic will remain in place.
“This has made us more unified than anything I’ve ever seen in this town,” said Mayor Pro Tem Steve Dicterow, who was one of four council members who voted in support of the design.
Councilwoman Toni Iseman was the lone dissenter, suggesting the “I” in “Police” be changed from red to blue.
“I like how it looks,” Dicterow told an overflowing council chamber. “I got 600 emails from people in Laguna, the ratio of support was 100-to-one in support of the design. I got emails from across the country. The flag is a symbol, it doesn’t represent a particular president or political belief. It’s a symbol of what we strive for. What better symbol than one that protects our freedom?”
In a second motion, the City Council voted unanimously to change the motto that accompanies the logo from “Proudly serving our community” to “Serving our community with pride and integrity.”
The debate over the logo gained steam over the weekend following media reports that the issue had divided the community. But the concern generally was less about patriotism than about what the colors represent.
To some, the bold design that showed up on police units was considered too dramatic and “aggressive.”
Complaints about the logo surfaced in early March when the police department began rolling out its new black-and-white vehicles with the new logo.
The Laguna Beach City Council in February unanimously approved a return to the traditional black-and-white cars after the police department requested the switch, saying the solid white SUVs were often confused with local security cars, especially by visiting tourists.
With the new black-and-white police cars, the police department also wanted a new look and logo. The council reviewed six logo selections and settled on two options.
The City Council then asked Laguna Beach Police Chief Laura Farinella for her and the department’s preference. Farinella and Cpl. Ryan Hotchkiss, president of the Laguna Beach Police Employees Association, preferred the American flag look over a proposed beach design.
There was some confusion over which design was actually selected. But the police department and city officials said the American flag was chosen — albeit a muted version of the current logo.
When the original designs were applied to the cars, the muted colors did not stand out. At that point the police department opted for the bolder colors.
On Tuesday, Laguna Beach police kept order in City Council chambers where at least 300 gathered. People stood five or six deep in the back and others gathered on the outdoor patio.
More than 50 people spoke, with just a few in favor of removing the American flag graphics. One woman sang the Star Spangled Banner when it was her turn to speak and most of the audience, along with Councilman Peter Blake, stood up and joined her.
“I think this is a teachable moment for this town,” said Amber Offield. “We can come together as citizens and make the right decision for our police officers and firefighters.”
Annemarie McIntosh, 17, was one of the later speakers. She told the council she had been watching the meeting online and felt she needed to represent her age group.
She pointed out that the Girl Scout uniform she was wearing had a flag and told the council she was in favor of the American flag design on the cars.
“It’s more recognizable and easier for kids to spot on the street,” she said.
Resident Chris Prelitz was among the minority who opposed the current logo. He told the council that others who felt the same were afraid to attend the meeting.
“I’m disappointed in the two council members who went onto Fox News and changed the narrative,” he said. “I’m here for the 20 to 30 people who were too afraid to be here.”
Councilman Peter Blake, whom Prelitz accused of dividing the community, responded.
“People who aren’t here tonight aren’t afraid, they simply lost,” he said. “They didn’t want to face the shame of sending out all those (negative) emails. For this first time, we’ve had a chance to stand up. Thank you for putting us in the position to love our flag. When I thought I would lose my flag, I said, no way!”