Commissioners urge security planning for Morris County's 250th after parade incident with upside-down flag

Commissioner Deborah Salome reported on the county's Fourth of July events and said a small group in a parade displayed an upside-down American flag and a Ukrainian flag. Salome said some participants urged others not to attend fireworks or parades and recommended the county coordinate planning with the sheriff's office and the county prosecutor for events connected to the 250th (semi‑quincentennial) celebrations.

Salome described the incident as involving a small number of houses and bystanders along Brookside/West Main Street and said the county should "make sure there's a plan with the sheriff" to protect residents and visitors attending celebratory events. She noted concerns about national headlines and other events this summer (including international sporting events) and urged caution.

Other commissioners also discussed planning for the 250th anniversary, including outreach and programming such as a county reading list. No security contract awards or formal policy measures were adopted at the meeting; the remarks were delivered as part of commissioners' reports and as recommendations to the event-planning committee.