NEW YORK (JTA) — A suburban New York resident removed a Nazi flag from outside his home after receiving flak from his neighbors and his mother.
Richard Greggs, 52, of Lindenhurst, took down the the swastika-adorned flag from his chimney Sunday after being told to do so by his mother, who also lives in the Long Island home. His mother, who said her son is a World War II aficionado, reportedly said the flag had generated too much media attention.
Although Suffolk County Police received complaints regarding the situation, Greggs will not be investigated, police said.
Police Commissioner Richard Dormer, however, in a statement to Newsday said that “While courts have upheld the rights of these individuals to promote these disgusting symbols, all decent people must denounce it vigorously.”
Neighbors said it was not the first time Greggs had raised the Nazi flag, including once on Easter Sunday.
"He’s an insult to the neighborhood," Frank Schipani told Newsday.
Greggs’ mother, who preferred not to give her name, told Newsday that Greggs is "just into everything with World War II. He has no affiliation with the Nazi Party.”
The Anti-Defamation League condemned Greggs’ actions.
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