FLANDERS, N.Y. — Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Southampton police are asking for the public's help in identifying and locating whoever vandalized a license plate — and stole another — in Flanders.
The damaged sign was erected last year to replace a “Welcome to Flanders” sign, police said.
Southampton police responded last week to a report of the damaged sign, located at the corner of Pleasure Drive and County Road 105 in Flanders.
The sign for “Pleasure Drive” was also removed from its position. According to police, the license plate is believed to have been damaged and stolen within the last few days.
In May last year, an insurance company undertook to replace the “Welcome to Flanders: Home of the Big Duck” sign that went up in February.
Aflac donated the new $7,000 sign. Angela Huneaul, president of the FRNCA commented at the time: “When the sign was stolen in February it was devastating for the community. Who would want to steal a sign that has been there for over 20 years?”
Aflac, he said, immediately contacted FRNCA, offering to replace the “Welcome to Flanders” sign. “We are overwhelmed by their generosity. We are a 501c3 and rely on business support, membership and a grant from the city. We didn't know how or when we would be able to replace the sign,” Huneal said.
FRNCA, he said, is maintaining the Riverside traffic circle and landscaping around the six “welcome” signs.
“At the end of each year, we hope to have enough to carry us into the next year. This gift from Aflac was overwhelming and received with open arms,” he said. “They heard our story and wanted to do what they could to bring joy to a horrible situation.”
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information about the incident can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, using a mobile app that can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will remain confidential.
