Graffiti ghost haunting Jacksonville neighborhoods [The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville]

July 13--Merchants and residents around Park and King street in Riverside can't stop beaming over the continuing growth and beautification of what's become a bustling retail district.

But a graffiti ghost keeps crashing the party.

A grainy picture of a man apparently carrying a spray paint can is all police have of a vandal who's been plaguing Riverside and Five Points for months with his scribble. Scores of spots have been hit, from businesses to utility boxes, causing at least $30,000 in damage.

The culprit tagged a wall of Jacksonville Magazine's building on King Street near Park about two weeks ago, along with the popular Whiteway Deli and Beer:30, a new craft beer store. Joseph White, the magazine's publisher, said the trouble has taken a little breath from the excitement along his stretch.

"To see some fool decide he's going to do something like that ... makes you scratch your head and say, 'You don't have something better to do with your life?'?" White said.

Those impacted said police have told them they believe the same person has done much of the damage. Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Melissa Bujeda said graffiti has been noted in Riverside and other parts of town, but she added that investigators are unsure what's connected or how many people are involved.

City Councilman Jim Love has an insurance business at King and College streets where at least three spots were tagged with the same scribble. Love, who represents the neighborhoods, has a warning for the vandal.

"At some point he's going to make a mistake," Love said, "and he's going to be prosecuted."

Retired longtime Riverside businessman Paul Bremer lives near Five Points and has worked tirelessly to add sparkle to the neighborhood.

He said he can't wait for police to nab the ghost.

"I don't care if it's da Vinci's 'Last Supper,'?" Bremer said. "If it's painted on the wall and you don't have permission, it's vandalism."

jim.schoettler@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4385

___

(c)2012 The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Fla.)

Visit The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Fla.) at www.jacksonville.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services