Courtesy
More incidents of graffiti were reported in June than in any
other month of the year since 1998, according to data from the city's Graffiti
Abatement Program.
Since the start of 2004, incidents of graffiti have increased
steadily, from 28 reported cases in January, to 108 in June - nearly double the
number for May.
The cost of graffiti damage was also particularly significant
between June 1 and July 29. Costs resulting from graffiti were estimated at
$6,000, according to the Davis Police Department case log.
The rise may be due to more frequent graffiti or to more
frequent reporting, said DPD officer Frank Tenedora.
Graffiti Abatement Program volunteer coordinator Sandy
Deitrich said that trends in graffiti may coincide with the weather and summer
vacations.
She also said that "three individuals were responsible
for around 50 incidents alone." She said that it was likely that these
individuals were working cooperatively.
She added that tagging by gangs was the predominant form of
graffiti found in Davis. Two gangs in Davis are the Surenos and the Nortenos.
The Nortenos were also linked to a stabbing in the spring.
John Dixon, a graffiti patrol volunteer for the city of Davis
said in an e-mail that the nature of graffiti is not always apparent.
"Most of the tags I see are, to the lay person, not
associated with a gang. Usually it is a name, set of initials, or logo,"
Dixon said from his observances by bicycle through Davis. "These may be
done by gang members as a way of identifying their presence; sometimes a
specific gang identifier is present."
Dixon said that frequently tagged areas include benches on
the south side of the Davis Putah Creek parkway, near the access off of Davinci
Court and the I-80 bike pedestrian area under the crossing. Tenedora said that
the most popular sites for graffiti continue to be the skate park and the
restroom areas of Community Park.
In response to graffiti, the city has used the Graffiti
Abatement Program since February 1994, Deitrich said. While most graffiti is
removed by city staff, the city has 20 trained "Graffitibuster"
volunteers who adopt areas such as parks, greenbelts, or bike tunnels and are
provided the supplies necessary to keep them free of graffiti.
"None of these projects would have taken place without
the volunteers who wished to give their time and energy to make them
happen," Deitrich said.
Vandalism has recently become a problem to the city as well.
According to a press release on the city's website, the DPD is asking for the
public's help in watching for and reporting suspicious activities at the Mace
Ranch Community Park construction site.
The city of Davis and Olympic Land-Construction have recently
experienced problems with vandalism at the future park site, which is located in
East Davis. Unknown persons have damaged one mature tree and a variety of
construction materials on site. It is believed that the majority of vandalism is
occurring at night.
Anyone with information on incidents of graffiti can call the city's Graffiti Hotline at 757-5600. Observations of suspicious activities at the Mace Ranch Community Park may be reported to the Davis Police Department at 747-5400.