Residents Take On Taggers After Graffiti Invasion

INDIANAPOLIS -- A recent spike in graffiti on Indianapolis' south side has prompted residents to take action to deter taggers.

In the past two weeks, five juveniles have been arrested in connection with spray painting buildings and other structures, mostly with rival gang signs, 6News' Jack Rinehart reported.

South side residents have taken up their own paint brushes and are trying to educate neighbors about the signs of gang activity.

"It seems like they like to spray right after we've painted," said property manager Anthony Varns, who said he's painting the same wall more than 30 times in the past three years. "It's kind of rewarding actually to come by and destroy someone's name, or work, or whatever they want to call it."

Police said the problems with tagging go beyond the paint on the wall.

"Not only are they doing vandalism, but they're doing small crimes like theft and even major crimes such as dealing drugs," said gang division Detective Frank Miller Jr.

The Greater Southport Business Alliance has partnered with police to fight the graffiti. Members have handed out flyers in area neighborhoods telling parents what to look for.

"Everybody has to look out for everybody else," said member Joan Miller. "If you don't have healthy neighborhoods, you don't have healthy businesses. They've got to go together."

Property owners who notice graffiti are urged to take a picture, call police and paint over it if they can.