Murals hit: SPPD investigating graffiti
spree, out-of-towners suspected
September 04, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Santa Paulans were outraged to see that two city murals were defaced over the weekend, part of a spree of graffiti crime police believe was done by out-of-town taggers and/or gang members.
The graffiti was discovered on the murals Sunday morning; both murals said Santa Paula Police Sgt. Scott Varner are in the Main Street area.
“Somebody or a group of people just went through town and created havoc,” with graffiti said Varner. “We got it documented,” and cleanup started Sunday morning.
The city’s famed murals are clear-coated with a graffiti resistant substance but to fully remove the vandalism can take a multi-step process.
As to who defaced the murals, “We certainly don’t think it was anybody here in town...your local gangs and taggers, well that’s something they don’t mess with; those murals are a piece of Santa Paula and they figure it’s their town too.”
The vandalism was not confined to the two murals: “There were several other locations that were tagged and it’s documented,” with reports complete with photos of the vandalism.
“When a tagger tags something they have their own little moniker...hopefully we can contact some of the local law enforcement agencies and see if they have any tagging crews or gangs that fit the description so we can get enough evidence that they came into the city.”
Varner stressed that there’s little doubt the vandals were from out of town: “From what I heard our graffiti abatement did not recognize the tags,” which indicates the tagging was done by an out-of-towner.
“It was big and bold,” said Varner. “They definitely wanted people to see what they were doing...”
Taggers are now classified as gangs.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Paula Police Department, 525-4474.
If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the SPPD recorded Tip Hotline, 933-5691 or email tips to tipline@spcity.org
You can also call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477); the call is not recorded and the caller may remain anonymous.
Ventura County Crime Stoppers can also be contacted by texting “Busted” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
Crime Stopper Tips can also be sent via the website, www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org