AndrewBlakeColumbus, OH – After a condominium complex in New Albany told a retired police officer that he couldn’t display an American Thin Blue Line flag because it violated the rul es of the building, state legislators are working to make sure that won’t happen again.
Retired Columbus Police Sergeant Daniel Guthrie flew the police flag as a way to pay tribute to police, when the condominium association told him it wasn’t allowed, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Two GOP state representatives, Anne Gonzales and Tim Ginter, have introduced legislation that would prevent landlords, mobile-home parks, and condominium associations from restricting the display of Thin Blue Line flags.
The flag is is a black and white version of the stars and stripes, with a blue line through the center.
“With individuals being able to display the flag, they will be able to display respect for officers who bravely put their lives in danger,” Ginter said.
House Bill 230 was introduced in May and passed the House on Nov. 29, according to the Columbus Dispatch. It is now with the Senate.
The bill would only apply to the Thin Blue Line flag, and not protect other flags, such as Black Lives Matter flags, or flags backing NFL teams, the newspaper reported.
Gonzales said she thinks the bill will raise awareness for law enforcement.
“It gives recognition to police officers, for those who are alive and those who are deceased,” she said.
Michael Weinman, governmental affairs director of the Fraternal Order Police of Ohio, said his organization supports the bill.
“There are folks who live in these complexes who would like to show their respect,” Weinman said.
Northridge High School football players carried a Thin Blue Line flag onto the field in Ohio during a military appreciation night.
School district officials later complained about the flag being carried, saying that players didn’t get permission to carry the flag onto the field before doing it, according to the Newark Advocate.