Statement regarding Sept. 7 fireworks incident and investigation
On the evening of September 7, 2020, at about 8:30 p.m., police received a report of an explosion of fireworks or some other device in front of a home on a residential street in Lynnfield. Lynnfield Police immediately launched an investigation and visited the scene, talking to the homeowner and making a full report. There was no damage to any signage or property, but the incident was alarming to residents on the street.
As the property contained signage in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, the community and local officials were concerned that the incident was related to past incidents of racist and intolerant graffiti and property damage in the community.
Early the next morning, three juveniles and their parents contacted local authorities wishing to come forward to take responsibility for the detonation of the fireworks. They said they had been using fireworks at a nearby parking lot and stopped to shoot off a final round of fireworks before returning home for the night. They were interviewed by police and asked to speak to the affected parties. Two members of the family generously agreed to meet with them. The juveniles were very apologetic and took responsibility for their actions. They said the signage at the home was not the motivation for the decision to launch the fireworks at that location. The resident accepted their apology in the spirit of “Love They Neighbor,” one of the signs displayed at the property.
The juveniles and their parents were informed of the gravity of their actions. School officials were informed of the matter and will work with local police on a restorative justice plan.
Lynnfield Police continue to investigate previous incidents of hate speech, graffiti and property damage related to Black Lives Matter. Police Chief David Breen asks anyone with knowledge of this incident to report it to the Police Department at (781) 334-3131 immediately.
The Town of Lynnfield released the following statement:
To the citizens of Lynnfield,
The Board of Selectmen, police chief, and town administrator wish to express our outrage over the recent theft of signs and the racist vandalism targeting wonderful Lynnfield families, and over the racist graffiti at Pillings Pond and the bridge on Partridge Island that occurred earlier this summer.
Racism and hate have no place in our community and an incident targeting one neighbor is an attack on all of us and the Lynnfield community values we hold dear. We stand in support and solidarity with the victims and all our neighbors who are affected by this assault on our community.
We want to be very clear to every citizen: our police department and town leadership are putting every resource and making every effort to put an end to this community shame. It is a top priority.
We are working diligently to solve these crimes. A criminal complaint has been brought against a local resident in connection with theft of a sign.
Lynnfield is a welcoming, caring community that lifts up all of our neighbors! Let us join together and never allow the unconscionable acts of a few define us and our community.
Thank you for your continued support!
Board of Selectmen
Christopher Barrett, Chair
Richard Dalton
Philip Crawford
Robert Dolan, Town Administrator
David Breen, Chief of Police