An inmate work crew from the Barnstable County House of Correction removed the graffiti using its new power-washing equipment Monday.

Friday, May 7, school bus drivers found the graffiti on street signs on Glendon Road and Miramar Road in Dennisport.

"We have no evidence that the language applies to any specific person or group living in the area," said Dennis acting Chief of Police Bill Monahan.

The graffiti was applied with white spray paint, two cans of which police found in the area. "We believe at least two individuals were involved in this incident," Monahan said. "It isn't possible for one person to have done this kind of damage."

May 19, more graffiti was found on street signs and fences at 35 Lower County Road in Dennisport. The graffiti included an American eagle with outstretched wings above a swastika and vulgar language. A telephone juncture box also was spray-painted with derogatory racial words.

Following an investigation of graffiti in Dennisport that began in February, police have charged a 16-year-old Dennisport youth with six counts of defacement of property for spray painting fences at 35 Lower County Road, 3 Beach Plum Lane and 3 Susan Ruth Road, all in Dennisport. The youth admitted to committing those crimes as well as defacing a shed at 103 Cynthia Lane, a building at 197 Shad Hole Road and a stop sign at the intersection of Lower County and Shad Hole roads, Monahan said.

Monahan says there is no evidence linking this youth to the recent rash of graffiti.

Defacement of property is penalized by imprisonment for not less than three years or of two years' imprisonment and a fine for removing the offending graffiti.

"We have not identified those responsible for all the graffiti," Monahan says. "We've been in contact with the anti-defamation league to absorb insight into the thinking behind the content of the material." Monahan believes the incidents are related because they all involved white spray paint and similar language and all happened in the same area.

Selectmen Chairman Don Trepte, who was present Monday during the removal of the graffiti, says, "Some folks are misguided and are using graffiti as a means to express their points of view. This is something our town can't tolerate. We're providing help for the residents whose properties are affected, and the county will help us remove any future graffiti."

Both Monahan and Trepte believe youths are responsible for the graffiti.

Dennis is not the only community affected by this type of crime. Sheriff Jim Cummings says there's a big demand for his new truck to remove offending words and symbols in many Cape towns.