St. Johns County homeowner told to take down Blue Lives Matter flag

Jeff Gaddie says a Blue Lives Matter flag has flown outside his daughter’s home in St. Johns County for years.

Gaddie told Action News Jax it’s flown to honor him -- and many other family members -- who work in law enforcement.

The homeowner is asking that we do not identify the St. Johns County neighborhood in fear of backlash.

“If you drive by and see that flag, it kind of makes you feel a little bit better, that there’s a family that supports what I’m doing,” Gaddie said.

Recently, his daughter received a letter asking her to remove the flag, saying it doesn’t fit the rules and regulations of the homeowners association.

"She called to ask why," Gaddie said. "They told her they had received a complaint that it was considered racist, offensive and anti-black lives matter.”

She said she was asked to submit a form for permission to fly the flag -- so she sent in the request.

The request was denied.

To learn more about the neighborhood’s rules, we called First Coast Association Management, the company who enforces the regulations.

The company said only American and military-themed flags are allowed to fly in the neighborhood, but we found other flags displayed in the neighborhood.

Portions of the neighborhood code say no flags will be displayed without approval.

LOCAL NEWS: Search continues for car after longtime Duval County teacher found dead at home

Gaddie wants neighbors to know the flag is nothing but a show of support.

“We’ve got black officers, we’ve got Asian officers, we’re got every race," Gaddie said. "I mean for them to say it’s racist, blue is not a race, it’s the furthest thing from it.”

The family is planning to appeal the decision at next month’s homeowners association meeting.

Cox Media Group