Rash of Gang Graffiti Shows Up Around Shakopee

Five incidents of what Shakopee police say is gang graffiti vandalism have been reported in the past two weeks.  

Two such incidents occured on city property, at Hiawatha Wermerskirschen Park (625 Seventh Ave. E.) and at a concrete drainage area near the . The others were along Marschall Road at , at a car wash, and an apartment building located at 850 S. Marschall.

"All the graffiti is Hispanic gang based (Latin King or Surenos)," said Shakopee Police Capt. Chris Dellwo.

The gang tags have at least one Shakopee woman feeling uncomfortable and afraid.

"Maybe if (the graffiti is) made well known, the gangs wil leave and stop beating each other up in a family park, or stop breaking into cars," a woman who wanted to remain anonymous told Patch. "The park is nice but needs more police patrol and I'm scared to contact the police in fear of gang retaliation."

Police say they regularly patrol park areas, and signs prohibiting grafitti and promoting a city/neighborhood partnership to keep the park clean and crime free are prominently displayed at the recently-hit park.

No arrests have been made in this recent spree, but Dellwo said police have one recent report of three Hispanic males who were observed in the act of spray painting graffiti before fleeing into .

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call police at (952) 233-9400. People can also report a crime tip anonymously by calling the tip line at (952) 233-9499. Tip information can also be given anonymously online at http://tiny.cc/SPD_TIP411 or text the word "spdtips" and the tip information to 847411. Click here for the website with more information.

When graffiti occurs, Shakopee city ordinance states the owner of the vandalized property has 10 days to cover it up. 

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