Videotape shows downtown graffiti artists

Some of the symbols found in the graffiti that were painted onto the Franklin P. Norman City County Community Center in the early hours of Friday, June 17, 2011 have been included in much of the graffiti that has been spray painted onto several Nevada businesses in the past few months. The letters ODC and the number 99 also appeared in other places.

In the early morning hours of Friday, June 17, the graffiti vandals that have been spray painting buildings and other structures in Nevada for some time got caught on video while tagging the Franklin P. Norman City/County Community Center.

The recent spate of graffiti in the city has been something the Nevada Police Department decided to take a much closer look at about six weeks ago.

They took a more active stance because "we've been noting an increase in the graffiti in town," Nevada Police Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Steve Bastow said.

The six weeks' work by officer Brian Hansen, other officers and help from the community turned up some leads, but nothing as solid as the video posted on the Nevada Daily Mail's Web site, www.nevadadailymail.com/, or http://www.nevadamo.org/library/center_6172011_camera_b8.dav. (Photos on Page 3).

According to Hansen, the vandals struck at least six fixed locations and one vehicle during the early morning spree and there appear to be at least five individuals involved.

The video clearly shows two individuals doing the spray painting and the other three keeping watch.

Most of the activity on Friday morning occurred to the west of the Square and between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., Hansen said.

Since this issue came to light, the business community and property owners have "been a real positive influence," Bastow said.

Their calls and willingness to cooperate have made a difference.

"We are appreciative of the community, and with their help, we can put a stop to this," Hansen said.

The latest rash of vandalism shows some of the same characteristics as the previous work. Officers think they may be able to tie most of it to some of the individuals on the video. Until this case is solved and the vandals caught, NPD asks citizens to be aware of suspicious activities around any buildings or objects that can be painted.

They are asking the public's help in identifying the individuals on the video.

The police department encourages citizens to watch the video and call the department if they can identify any of the subjects shown.

Citizens are also urged to call with information regarding this case or to report any criminal activity by calling (417) 448-2710, or the Tip Hotline (417) 448-5117.