DeKALB | Several instances of graffiti have occurred in the area north of E. Taylor Street, including two on Sept. 16, according to DeKalb Police reports.

The graffiti appeared on residential driveways in the 400 block of Bush Street and in the 800 block of Kensington Boulevard. Two more cases of graffiti occurred nearby on Sept. 13, one in the 700 block of Ellwood Avenue in an alley and another on a garage door in an alley in the 800 block of Glidden Avenue.

DeKalb Police Lt. Jim Kayes said he believes the graffiti may be the work of one person, based on the perpetrator’s style and the gang affiliation of the symbols.

“We like to see who’s putting up what and for what gangs,” Kayes said. “If we see a huge increase in graffiti in one area and it has a certain message then usually we can tell if something is brewing.”

The burden of cleaning up graffiti unfortunately falls on the property owners, Kayes said.

“If you put the burden on the city, then you have issues with the city messing with private property,” Kayes said.

Graffiti is considered criminal defacement. In cases of damage under $300, criminal defacement is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a $2,500 fine and between six months and a year in jail.

Kenneth Lowe is the Police and Fire Reporter for the Northern Star.