Othello suffers rash of graffiti

Private property damaged

OTHELLO - At least 22 incidents involving graffiti were reported to the Othello Police Department in three days.

Several alleyways, businesses, homes and a vehicle were damaged with the spray-paint style graffiti from Oct. 22 to Oct. 25, according to Othello police records. A large amount of the graffiti was blue and some writing included derogatory terms.

On Oct. 22, seven incidents were reported.

Three reports of graffiti were in alleyways on East Hemlock Street. One incident was reported in an alleyway on North Broadway Avenue and again in an alleyway on East Main Street. East Juniper Street was also spray-painted and the Salon Bella building was damaged.

On Oct. 23, five incidents were reported.

The first incident was reported in an alleyway on East Elm Street. Graffiti was located on South Fourth Avenue and East Oak Street. A Dumpster on East Hemlock Street was spray-painted. On South First Street a pub building was spray-painted.

On Oct. 24, nine incidents were reported.

The Carpet Carousel building on South Broadway Avenue, the Akins building on South First Avenue, a garage on East Hemlock Street, an apartment complex on East Hemlock Street and a building on South Fourth Avenue were all damaged with graffiti. Graffiti was located on a vehicle and a trailer on South Broadway Avenue. Police located more graffiti in an alleyway on East Main Street.

The final report of graffiti was Oct. 25 on East Main Street.

Police Chief Steve Dunnagan was not available for comment. In a previous interview with the Columbia Basin Herald, he said graffiti is often a cyclic crime.