PLANTATION, FLA. (WSVN) - A Plantation family who was just trying to show their pride with an annual family tradition ahead of the Fourth of July has been left upset after Plantation officials slapped them with code violations.
Every year, for the past 10 years, the Ducharme family hangs U.S. flags from trees that line the street in their neighborhood, but now the City of Plantation is asking for the flags to be moved.
For 15-year-old Hudson Ducharme, this family tradition is a big deal for him and his relatives. “It’s important to me because I think the patriotism in the neighborhood makes it look much better, and it really just lightens it up around here, around the Fourth of July,” he said.
According to a Code Enforcement officer, the flags need to be relocated. The city left a warning for every home that had a flag up. “Saying we had to take it down within two days or we’ll start being fined,” said Daniel Ducharme, who hangs flags with his son.
The city said that their reasoning for the warning is due to damage to the trees and the flagpole hanging over the street can be a liability. They, however, are allowing the 15-year-old to move the flags onto private property as a compromise.
The Chief of Plantation Police said the issue is not about the American flag but told 7News in an email that: “This young man has been told that these brackets cannot be affixed to these trees and may be a safety concern for the public.”
Ironically, Chief Harrison and Ducharme have met in the past over a happier occasion. The teen is a recent graduate of the Citizens Police Academy, but that’s not making it any easier for him. “It makes me feel kinda angry that the city is focusing on flags being hung on their trees instead of more important issues,” he said.
His dad said he is disappointed to break the tradition, but they will accept the compromise and will move the flags.
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