KEARNS, Utah (KUTV) — Unified Police are investigating a spike in graffiti in Kearns, suspecting it could be gang tagging and may be more widespread.
Ethan Rose said this weekend his property was vandalized for the second time in recent months.
“There was tagging done on the fence,” he said. “You’re ruining peoples’ hard-earned things that they’ve worked too hard for day-in and day-out.”
Neighbors across the street captured surveillance video of the vandals wearing hoodies and hats to hide their identity in the middle of the day.
“It’s graffiti today, but what’s tomorrow,” Rose said. “I would like some accountability. I would like to see leaders in the community step up and let residents of Kearns know they’re with them.”
“It infuriates me. It’s really frustrating,” Kearns Mayor Kelly Bush said.
KUTV asked what she would want to tell residents about how they’re addressing this.
“I would like to tell them that I really appreciate how they’ve been proactive I’ve gone and driven around myself. I’ve reported the graffiti several times myself. We are in constant contact with our local police department, our detectives, and with the graffiti team,” she said.
While there’s been a spike in Kearns recently, she said, “It’s not isolated to Kearns. This is something that is going on in several communities right now.”
She added that they’ve made arrests in the past, but there’s more people out there doing this.
Anyone who has any information or surveillance video related to the incidents are asked to reach out to police.
Unified Police Sgt. Aymee Race said there’s a graffiti removal program out there for anyone who needs it.
Online it reads that UPD can provide you with free graffiti removal supplies and can even assign an officer for protection during removal.
“The UPD also employs graffiti removal specialists to remove graffiti on public property or private property with the permission of the property owner,” the website states.
As far as this case goes, she said, “Right now we do see an intake in cases coming out of Kearns, but it does occur in every community. I think that’s important to realize. Our gang unit is supporting the investigation right now. It is an open investigation, and we are looking at leads.”