TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Graffiti Taggers Hit Davis Islands

ADVERTISEMENT

By MARK HOLAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2008

DAVIS ISLANDS - Residents and businesses are coping with a rash of graffiti.

The spray-painted scrawls began appearing several weeks ago at numerous locations in the neighborhood, including a sea wall near Martinique Avenue, a utility box on Channel Drive, a gas station on East Davis Boulevard and in the 400 block of Danube Avenue.

"It's disrespectful," said Lisa DeVitto, president of the Davis Islands Civic Association. "It's unkempt. It's meant to deface, and it looks bad."

Several residents contacted city officials and the police department, which dispatched a gang suppression unit to the neighborhood.

"They determined this is not gang-related," said police Lt. Don Peters, a district shift commander. "They determined these are juveniles with misplaced expressions."

Most of the graffiti has been removed.

DeVitto said residents will continue to work with police and increase crime watch initiatives.

"We are hoping to be as proactive as possible," she said.

If you have information about the graffiti, call police District 1, which includes Davis Islands, at (813) 354-6600.

Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 259-7651 or mholan@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT