THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 12, 1995 TAG: 9503100222
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Acting on numerous tips from area residents, civic leagues and schools, police last week questioned two juveniles believed to be responsible for the recent outbreak of graffiti in Little Neck, Middle Plantation and Kings Grant.
Areas vandalized included the Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club, a fence along Harris Road, several city utility buildings and the Lynnhaven Boys Baseball Complex.
Detective R.J. Mlincsek said police questioned the boys and believe they were involved in several of the incidents in which obscenities, racial slurs, and what are believed to be gang symbols, or ``tags,'' were spray-painted and written with a felt-tip marker.
Police did not provide details about the boys because they are juveniles. They also would not confirm whether the suspects had confessed to the crime.
``The case is still under investigation, however we feel that the juveniles were responsible for a good portion of it. But I don't believe they did it all,'' said Mlincsek. ``They were doing what they call `tagging.' It's not really a gang thing; more a phase thing that bored kids do. I believe other kids, whom we haven't identified yet, were doing it as well.''
Mlincsek requested that citizens with information concerning the case call him at 464-9361 or Virginia Beach Crime Solvers at 427-0000.
The graffiti created an uproar among residents and civic leagues in the affected sections of the city, primarily quiet residential areas unaccustomed to such outbreaks.
Mike McQueeny, president of the Middle Plantation Civic League, said several civic leagues in the area were considering offering a reward for information leading to the perpetrators until they learned that police were close to solving the case. McQueeny advocated neighborhood patrols, prosecution of those apprehended and pointed out that some communities have outlawed spray paint cans in response to such graffiti vandals.
``It's something to consider,'' he noted.
Last Tuesday, the same day the youths were first questioned, painter Leon Ware was painting over the graffiti at the swim and racquet club on Little Neck Road.
``They hit a barn, pool houses, the office, bathrooms and sidewalks with spray cans and Magic Marker,'' explained Ware, who had also repainted the Little League park. ``It's a shame because it looks like (the swim and racquet club) was just painted last year. It wasn't as bad as at the ballpark, though. They painted `SECH,' some vulgar words, and emblems. We're going to have to sandblast the sidewalks and patios.''
Ware estimated the damage at the swim and racquet club alone at ``around $3,000.''
Wally Newton, vice president of the Middle Plantation Civic League and leader of its Neighborhood Watch program, had high praise for the police work.
``The police deserve a lot of credit,'' said Newton.
Newton pointed out that eliminating graffiti is a priority for the city. He explained that there is a Graffiti Hot Line (427-3580, Ext. 704), which citizens can call 24 hours a day to report graffiti and have it removed.
Painting contractor Ware, finishing up his painting at the swim and racquet club, summed up the thought shared by many who had seen the graffiti.
``I hope the summer ain't no worse than it is now,'' he said. ``I hope these kids are just bored this winter.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DAWSON MILLS
A fence along Harris Road in the Little Neck area represents the
kind of damage done by vandals at Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club
and the Lynnhaven Boys Baseball Complex.
KEYWORDS: JUVENILE GRAFFITI VANDALISM by CNB