LAKEPORT – Several locations around Lakeport were hit by a rash of graffiti that officials believe was the result of taggings carried out over the weekend.
Lt. Brad Rasmussen of the Lakeport Police Department said the graffiti was found at the Lakeport Chamber of Commerce, the Carnegie Library, on a downtown park entrance sign, on a building at the Fifth Street boat launch, and on two commercial properties – one on Park Street and at Riviera Computers on Lakeport Boulevard.
He said the graffiti, which was laced with profanity and mentioned gang names, was found shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday on the south side of the Chamber of Commerce building by a Lakeport Police officer.
The graffiti referenced the Windsor Town Surenos, from Sonoma County, Rasmussen said. It's believed the tags around town were placed either Saturday night or early Sunday morning.
Rasmussen said although it can be difficult, it's possible to track the graffiti back to its source, especially if police can identify members of the gang locally.
“We've got some leads,” he said, adding that police have a piece of evidence that may have fingerprints on it.
Rasmussen had no firm cost estimate to repair the damage, but said it could cost at least $1,000, which he said is likely a low estimate.
County Public Services Director Kim Clymire said the building housing the chamber is county owned on city property. He said his buildings and grounds staff spent Monday painting over the graffiti.
Rasmussen said the city hasn't had any other big gang-related issues recently. He said many of the city's main gang members are in custody, several of them as a result of a March 2007 assault near Library Park in which a young Clearlake Oaks man was stabbed.
Anyone with information about the graffiti should call the Lakeport Police Department, 263-5491.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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