Watchful citizens can put a stop to graffiti

It dawns on drivers for the first time as they head east on Independence Street: an indecipherable symbol in white, spray painted on the Edward Jones sign near the Caruthers Avenue intersection.

There are a few more scribbles here and there along the road, but off the road, the damage is horrifying.

A Playboy bunny painted on the side of a company truck -- the whole side, not just a little corner.

A camper with a giant word, again indecipherable to most, spray painted in bright colors across one side.

A downtown business with the word "Solo," perhaps the name of the street artist, painted on an outer wall. The understandably concerned business owner first read it as "sold" and wondered what was going on with his real estate agent.

Even the little scribbles are a big problem. Not all the surfaces can be painted over in a simple procedure. Most of these folks will have to hire paint-removal experts at high prices and hope they can do something to repair the damage.

Those affected business owners were hopeless about the situation, said city Councilman Jay Purcell, who lives in the neighborhood. He noticed the graffiti and reported it. About 20 buildings have been hit. Some business owners hadn't even called police about it, believing that nothing could be done.

If there's any positive side of this story, it's that police, after studying the vandalism, don't believe it's gang communication.

But it's not harmless street art, either. People's livelihoods are at stake. Vandalism is a serious offense and should have serious consequences.

That's why Purcell collected money from some of the businesses, threw in some of his own and joined with CrimeStoppers to offer a $200 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.

Purcell's theory is that young people are behind it, not a far-fetched guess considering that one hardly can imagine a middle-aged person or senior citizen spray painting buildings in the dead of night.

But he's absolutely right on another point: The person or persons who did this either were seen by somebody or told somebody about the crime. And those with information should report it to the police. They can do so anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 332-0500.

If there's hesitation, imagine finding your vehicle or your home decorated with a giant clown holding a paint can. That's what Water Doctor's owner found at her place of business. Imagine the time, expense and overall disconcerted feeling.

In the meantime, business owners in that area would do well to cut down trees or shrubs that can hide such activity and put brighter lights on their buildings.