Graffiti on property around Durango is “a lot more prevalent right now,” according to the police department – and the task and cost to remove or cover tags within 10 days, as city code requires, falls on private owners and public employees.

The Durango Police Department is seeking information related to an uptick in unsanctioned spray painting in alleys around north Main Avenue, in South Durango and in west Durango around Arroyo Drive. Graffiti taggers started writing on walls, doors and public infrastructure in June, but “it’s just kicking up and getting worse,” said DPD spokesman Cmdr. Ray Shupe.

“We’re pretty sure it’s multiple people; I think they’re unrelated to one another,” he said. “They’re just popping up all over the place, different alleys and different locations.”

The police department reported written tags depicting: “COUP,” “SUR13,” “MARX,” “WOVEN,” “BOMZ” and “SWCRIPS,” according to a post on the agency’s Facebook page. Shupe said DPD has “no theories as to whether it’s gang-related or not.”

City code says graffiti vandalism on property or structures – public or private – is considered a “public nuisance.” The rules require property owners to remove graffiti within 10 days of being reported to city officials. If the property owner doesn’t remove the paint within the alloted time, the city will remove it and bill the owner.

City crews are also responsible for removing spray paint on public property. The cost depends on how long it takes to pressure-wash a tag, how much paint it takes to cover it and how often city employees must address issues related to graffiti, Shupe said.

Anyone with information related to graffiti is asked to call dispatch at 385-2900 or Crime Stoppers at 247-1112 to remain anonymous.

bhauff@ durangoherald.com