A newly-constructed home in South Windsor, Connecticut, was vandalized by Earth Liberation Front extremists who spay-painted slogans such as “ELF” and “No Sprawl” on the house.
A relatively minor event, except as an illustration of just how little local law enforcement understands the dynamics of such groups. Here’s The Hartford Courant’s quote from the local police chief,
Town Police Chief Gary K. Tyler dismissed the possibility of a link to the organization [ELF].
“It wouldn’t surprise me if some kids saw [the group] on the Internet or hear it from their parents,” Tyler said.
Sgt. Matthew D. Reed, police spokesman, said there was no reason to belive that an organized group was responsible for the vandalism. “But anything is possible,” he added.
Police seem unable to grasp with the concept of an un-organized group, such as ELF, and as long as they are unable to understand that none of these acts are committed by some sort of organized group of activists, extremists who carry out these crimes will be at a distinct advantage.
Source:
Group implicated in vandalism. Dan Uhlinger, Hartford Courant, July 3, 2003.