PIERSON -- A group of residents plan to meet with county officials Tuesday night to discuss how to deal with gang activity and graffiti "tagging" throughout Northwest Volusia.

Volusia County Councilman Dwight Lewis and Sheriff Ben Johnson plan to be at the meeting, which was organized by the residents.

Northwest Volusia residents have complained for years about graffiti and other damage caused by teens and young adults. Walls and fences have been spray-painted in Pierson, Barberville, DeLeon Springs, Seville and south Putnam County. The activity has worsened in recent months, the residents say.

 

Last summer, sheriff's deputies said four gangs of boys and two girls' gangs were operating in Northwest Volusia.

The meeting, scheduled to last an hour, is set for 7 p.m. in the Pierson Community Center, 124 W. Washington Ave.