Should an Ohio Father Listen to His HOA and Take Down His Thin Blue Line Flag? – Opinion

Thomas DiSario does not hesitate to speak out for his beliefs especially in honor of his son Steven Eric DiSario (ex-chief Kirkersville Police Department).

Fox 8 reports that Steven died in 2017 while trying to rescue a hostage situation at the local nursing home. Thomas then flew a blue flag sometimes outside his home, Fox 8 reported.

Unfortunately, his homeowner’s association is not a fan of free speech, and they sent a letter to DiSario asking him to take down the flag.

“The political sign in the form of a flag must be removed from your property. Your flag is not an American Flag. This is not a United States Flag. Please remove the flag from your property,” the letter stated, according to Fox 8.

HOA regulations regarding political and religious display in the neighbourhood are very strict. It is extremely inappropriate in a housing community in a nation that celebrates freedom of speech.

“I spent 23 years in the military, and there’s no way shape or form that flag is being flown disrespectful at all,” DiSario said.  “It has a 4×6 American flag above it, and the police flag is a 3×5 below it. It is no bigger than the top flag.”

“It represents my son and nothing else. So I don’t know why everybody is now harassing me that I have to take it down.”

One individual even went onto DiSario’s private property to down the flag. This is something some find divisive or offensive. As a result, DiSario was forced to call the sheriff’s office, and they were unable to track down the man involved, Fox 8 reported.

People are free to have their opinion about the flag. However, we can try to understand the meaning it has for DiSario. It is dangerous for the HOA to have rules that restrict views displayed by its members.

DiSario has not given up.