UPDATE: 5:21pm just received word that the graffiti is now painted over.
Not only has the graffiti unit been called in but the PBSO Gang Unit is involved. Back in 2009, the PBSO and the Feds busted the gangbangers and many went to federal prison on RICO charges after a seven month investigation. 12 of them were members of the MLK gang in Lake Worth dubbed "Operation Vida Loca." Since 2003, the MLK (Makin' Life Crazy) gang has been terrorizing Lake Worth neighborhoods. One of the gang leaders back in 2009 who went to prison, lived in the 600 block of North D Street.
Sur 13 originated in Southern California. Symbols/Identifiers: Sur refers to "southern," 13 refers to the 13th letter in the alphabet "M," which stands for Mexican Mafia; graffiti often says "SUR 13" members wear long blue canvas belts, the hand sign is done by throwing up three fingers, tattoos are three blue dots on the right hand and one blue dot on the left hand.Alliance: Aryan Brotherhood, Italian Mafia, MS 13
Read about the trial for the gang banger accused of killing Top 6 gang members in a Lake Worth massacre six years ago.
Although this area is not in the ROLO neighborhood association, a few of the officers plan on painting over this graffiti this Sunday. It is, however, in Scott Maxwell's District 1 and ROLO has a paint brush for him. They are asking that a deputy be there for their safety.
What the PBSO says:
Of greater concern is the inherent violence associated with graffiti. Graffiti is an ever present form of communication between gangs, their members, and the community. Graffiti is used as a means to communicate the presence of a gang in a particular area, territory, rivalries, and also marks boundaries. It is also used to communicate taunts and threats to rival gangs.
Graffiti can be called a "newspaper" of the street. For instance, when a gang's name has been crossed out on a graffiti-marked area, there is a good indication there may be strife between at least two gangs. If this were so, this would be a challenge that must not go unanswered. It is also used to advertise the gang’s status or power and to declare his or her own allegiance to the gang. When a neighborhood is marked with graffiti indicating territorial dominance, the entire area and its inhabitants become targets for violence. Anyone on the street or in their home is fair game for drive-by attacks by rival gang members. A rival gang identifies everyone in the neighborhood as a potential threat. Consequently, innocent residents are often subjected to gang violence by the mere presence of graffiti in their neighborhood.
What our ordinance says:
Not sure what happened to the 24 hour rule but I could not find it.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning property, any person acting as manager or agent for the property owner, or for any person in possession or control of the property to fail to remove or effectively obscure graffiti upon any public or private building, structure, or any other real or personal property within ten (10) days of receipt of notice from the city to remove such graffiti. This notice may be given verbally or in writing by an enforcement officer. If the notice is given verbally, an information report shall be completed by the city, a case number assigned, and the report shall be filed with the records department of the police department.
2 comments:
This town is so full of crime that it is ridiculous. What's even more stupid is the graffiti that is NEVER painted over by the Sheriff and is left for months until you complain and complain about it. It takes citizens to do it?
The city ordinance is BS
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