On March 12, 2025, Boise Police took a vandalism report regarding a large number of American flags hanging on the Cloverdale Road overpass that were spray-painted by an unknown suspect. The Idaho Transportation Department collected all 32 flags and turned them over to Boise Police detectives to begin their investigation. The flags were processed as evidence and it was determined that 22 of the flags were vandalized, each with a blue spray-painted letter. Upon further investigation, evidence indicates the traffic cameras in the area were tampered with prior to the vandalism.
Detectives are working to determine if a message or statement was spray-painted on the flags. Anyone with pictures, video, or information related to this incident is asked to contact the Boise Police Department directly at (208) 570-6000 or call Ada County Non-Emergency Dispatch at 208-377-6790. The suspect in this case is facing charges including misdemeanor public mutilation of a flag.
Members of the Boise Police Honor Guard are now refolding the flags so they can be turned over to the Idaho Transportation Department to be properly retired.