Lynnwood Police arrest nine youths in connection with graffiti

Lynnwood Police have been cracking down on an epidemic of graffiti "tagging" throughout the city and announced Friday that they have arrested nine youths since mid-December.

Police have documented hundreds of tagging incidents, which together have caused an estimated $100,000 worth of damage, Lynnwood Police Officer T.J. Brooks said. Damage to the Lynnwood Shopping Center alone totals $6,500, he said.

The youths, who range in age from 10 to 16, are members of two tagging crews responsible for a portion of the city's graffiti, said Brooks. The boys live in various South Snohomish County communities, he said, and their tagging activities were not limited to Lynnwood.

Three other tagging crews also are under investigation, and police expect to make more arrests, he said.

Tagging crews are not gangs, Brooks said, and their criminal activities generally are limited to graffiti. They typically mark property with their nickname, plus the initials of their crew.

"Most of the taggers do it for the purpose of fame and recognition," he said.

Most of the youths have been released their parents, he said. They collectively could face up to 12 felony charges and five misdemeanor charges for malicious mischief, said police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions.

Diane Brooks: 425-745-7802 or dbrooks@seattletimes.com