Politics & Government

Graffiti 'Dork' Plagues Roxborough

Police and residents speak out against vandalism.

There's nothing nerdy about a recent graffiti scourge striking the streets. Residents and Philadelphia Police have reported an uptick in spray paint vandalism throughout the . Most notably, a vandal working under the tag "Dork" has left his mark all along Ridge Avenue.

"Graffiti in the neighborhood is terrible... (We're looking for) 'Dork,' 'Craze', all of them," community relations Officer Charles Kline said at the Monday night.

Residents complained of incidents near Walnut Lane and Ridge Avenue.

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"It was a battle of wills with me. Dork kept graffiting the same spot across the street. I don't know who he is, but I keep seeing it, reporting it, and it will be back the next day," said resident Theresa Marvasso of Walnut Lane.

In the City of Philadelphia, residents are asked to report vandalism to the Anti-Graffiti Network, which documents and paints over spray painted areas. At the meeting, residents said the city organization was doing its job but that graffiti kept returning.

Find out what's happening in Roxborough-Manayunkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After it was painted over, Marvasso said vandals "haven't been there since, but now they've moved on to ."

Walking around Tuesday, Patch easily found three "Dork" tags—two at the hospital and one at across the street.

Kline said the 5th District officers responded to a complaint recently, but the kids questioned didn't possess any spray-painting supplies, so they were cut loose.

"All of our officers are aware of it. These kids are ruining their own neighborhood. If anyone sees kids like that spray painting, hanging at the corner, please give us a call," Kline said.

To report an incident as its occurring, residents may call the 5th District at 215-686-3050. To have graffiti painted over, residents should call the Anti-Graffiti Network at 215-686-0000 or visit its website.


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