Police are not sure who is responsible for a slew of graffiti that has shown up on the walls of local businesses and on a patriotic mural.
Graffiti, including gang symbols, has been painted on businesses along Sixth Avenue, Commercial Street and other locations. Some walls and fences have been hit repeatedly.
“They are getting bolder,” said Brendy Allison, community service officer with the Emporia Police Department. “It’s getting worse in terms of number of gang symbols. At times it appears there’s a battle of symbols.”
Allison said there usually is not this much graffiti this time of year. She said the building that housed Blockbuster has been targeted as has Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership. Allison said the whole back of Aaron’s was hit along with some of the front of the store and a nearby vehicle.
When this occurs the Emporia Police Department or the businesses themselves have to paint or powerwash the graffiti, which can be a chore in winter weather, Allison said.
It also can be expensive. Allison said some paint is donated from the city’s household hazardous waste, but getting the exact color to match up isn’t always possible.
In the early morning hours of Dec. 11, 2010, black graffiti was painted on businesses and apartment buildings in the area of 10th Avenue and Commercial Street. The mural at 1025 Commercial St. was one of the places hit.
Allison said the mural vandalism did not sit well with veterans and other community members. The original artist will have to come to fix that portion of the mural when the weather gets warmer, she said.
An attempt to get someone to step forward to provide information about that incident last month was unsuccessful.
Graffiti also was a big problem last spring when there were 81 incidents of graffiti from March 31 to June 29, causing an estimated $5,631 in damage.
If the public has any information about the graffiti, they can make an anonymous call to Lyon County Crime Stoppers at 342-2273 or the Emporia Police Department at 343-4200. If your tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
sail (anonymous) says...
hmmmmm,what do you expect from a town that has 66% of its students on free or reduced meals.
February 1, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
krazykansan (anonymous) says...
A few rounds over there heads from a sniper rifle would stop that siht.
February 1, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marebear14 (anonymous) says...
Not real sure what kids being on free or reduced meals has to do with anything. I think this has more to do with parents allowing their kids to get away with anything and everything and not holding their children accountable, or maybe these kids haven't been taught self respect or to respect other peoples property. ACCOUNTABILITY bottom line.
February 1, 2011 at 4:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
if you worked in a store that sold spray paint wouldn't you suspect a kid buying cans of these taggers favorite colors? maybe adults are buying, or heaven forbid they are not shopping Emporia first.
Any way, keep an eye out store clerks, anything funny looking call EPD
February 1, 2011 at 5:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
A good volunteer proactive plan would be if all the stores selling spray paint in Emporia required a drivers license for purchase. Like booze. A small log could be kept at the stores, who bought, how much and what color. nah, that sounds kind of big-brotherish.
February 1, 2011 at 5:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
mareb,im sure Tagging is not a real issue say in Johnson County. Im just saying it as I see it, no sugar coating.
February 1, 2011 at 5:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
A few motion activated deer cams in strategic place might go a long way.
February 1, 2011 at 6 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
krazykansan (anonymous) says...
There ya go, a sound plan. Motion activated deer camera's.
Good Idea oleboy.
February 1, 2011 at 6:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Why can't the employees at the high school/Jr. High School look at the students and question everyone who has speckles of over spray on their shoes or paint on their fingertips?
February 1, 2011 at 6:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sunshine (anonymous) says...
Could be kids, could be college students (though I seriously hope not), and it could be young adults that claim to be gang members...who knows. I agree with goodoleboy, video cams would be a good idea, and some extra patrolling though I'm sure with the weather like this that isn't as easy.
February 1, 2011 at 6:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Boom (anonymous) says...
Here i go again, they are not no college students there are middle schoolers, high schoolers, and next year are elementary schoolers. Here take look http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbi... http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbi... guess what they get to walk around all DAMN DAY IN THERE STUPID GROUP AND I'M GETTING SICK OF IT THEY HAVE RUINED THIS TOWN
February 1, 2011 at 7:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
People spray painting in the winter usually have a coat on. Not all the paint that comes out of the can goes onto the wall. Some of it spatters on the hands, coats, pants, headgear and shoes of the perpetrator. They will wash their hands and change their pants but they wear the same coat, hat and shoes many times before washing them. A police officer has the obligation to detain and question anyone when the officer has a reasonable suspicion a person is involved in a crime. It is not unreasonable to question someone with spray paint spattered on their clothing to discover if they have a reasonable explanation for the paint being there. If the individual being questioned resists, that gives the officer probable cause for an arrest and a trip down to the station for additional questioning.
A static camera works on a spot that is tagged frequently. But usually these punks will not come back unless they believe a rival has "slashed" their tag. Then they will come back to "go over" what they think is a rival's "toy" "go over".
The best way to bust up graffiti is to find a "hat" and squeeze it hard.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graffiti...
February 1, 2011 at 7:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Boom (anonymous) says...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sure%C3%...
February 1, 2011 at 7:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Boom (anonymous) says...
That might be a bad link but just search sur 13 wikipedia
February 1, 2011 at 7:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fu66801 (anonymous) says...
Boom, your on the right track..some of those affiliated gang members are middle school kids..some are in high school..some adults are the brains involved in this "Bals" gang..having the younger ones go out and do stuff like this..here are some people the police should look out for..http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001888747849..http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000291662704..http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001832153531..http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001764430202
February 4, 2011 at 11:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fu66801 (anonymous) says...
All of those people in the links are "surenos" or so they like to think they are..EPD just needs to keep an eye on them and sooner or later they will be caught..we dont need that scum in our town.
February 4, 2011 at 11:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
You know what is really funny ! Quite some time ago there was a thread, I really don't remember what it was about, I believe it was about illegal immigration ! At that time I made the comment that there was and had been gangs in Emporia for some time and was sumarily told that I was full of crap, that there were no gangs in Emporia !
Well, you have heard it from " Boom " who sees it an experiences it every day at school ! I guess you all know what my next comment will be, TYS !
Thank you " BOOM " and be careful !!!!
February 4, 2011 at 11:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
And thank you fu66801 !!
And you be careful also !!
February 4, 2011 at 11:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )