Maine sheriffs visit Isis-inspired Christmas display

Concerned neighbors called local authorities and media over Christmas display featuring "ISIS" written in ruby-red lights

This photo from York County Sheriff William King shows the Christmas display that caused panic in a southern Maine town. (York County Sheriffs Department)

The concerned residents of a southern Maine town alerted law enforcement and local media to what they believed was a pro-ISIS Christmas display last weekend.

York County Sheriff William King, Jr. told The Independent that deputies visited the home in Limerick, Maine on Saturday and found “Isis” — the acronym for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria armed group — written out in ruby-red Christmas lights in an unidentified man's front yard.

“What is not so clear is that Santa Claus is 'relieving' himself on the words (see white stream),” Sheriff King said in an email including the above photograph.

“Deputies spoke with the homeowner explaining why the sheriff's office took an interest in his holiday display, and the homeowner stated he was going to rearrange the lights to clear up any doubts about his message,” Sheriff King said.

He did not identify the individual behind the Isis-inspired Christmas display, but said that “no law was broken.”

“We did not tell him to take the lights down or to reconfigure anything,” Sheriff King said.