Over the past couple of months, small amounts of graffiti have been seen in and around the Farley area of McCracken County. Areas on Clarks River Road, and the John Puryear bridge, and areas around the Cook Street area. A surge in the theft of bicycles has also been reported recently. Most of the bicycles have been recovered. It would appear that the suspects taking them, would ride them to an area they needed to go, then just discard them nearby.

Over the past weekend, this reported activity escalated. At least two vehicles were spray painted, several Clarks River Road businesses, the John Puryear bridge pillars, a bulldozer that was parked off of Carolina Street, as well as some private property fences, and stop signs.

Sheriff's deputies on August 29th (Sunday morning) took a report from a resident on Carolina Street reporting that between 4:30AM and 11:00AM someone(s) had spray painted "Blizzard" on the drivers side of their vehicle in red paint. Another vehicle parked nearby also was spray painted. Deputies also noted that the rear of Dominoes Pizza had graffiti spray painted depicting gang symbols as well as a series of numbers. Another resident of Carolina Street reported that a private fence had been painted.

On Monday August 30, a report was filed reporting a residents garage in the 200 block of Alabama Street had graffiti painted also depicting gang signs.

On Tuesday August 31, a sheriff's deputy while on patrol in the same area, located a bulldozer belonging to an area contractor had been spray painted also with graffiti.

Over the past couple of weeks, deputies had been compiling a list of possible suspects, all of which were identified as being juveniles that lived in the areas affected.

Capt. Matt Carter met with the Reidland School Districts Resource Officer Bruce Watson about the problem with the reported gang activity as well as the surge of graffiti in the area. He was very helpful in assisting with information.

Tuesday afternoon, deputies began locating and interviewing suspects and learned quickly that the persons responsible were all juveniles, ranging in age from 14 to 17 years of age.

This investigation has led to four juveniles being identified as being responsible for the recent surge in this criminal mischief. Deputies were preparing formal charges against the juveniles on Wednesday afternoon and expect to charge those responsible on Thursday. 

"Through this investigation, we have learned that many involved are not being properly supervised by their parents or guardians. Much of this activity has been occurring during the late night and early morning hours when these children should be at home in bed."

 There is a curfew for minors ordinance that was adopted by the McCracken County Fiscal Court in April 1997. It states: "It shall be unlawful for an parent or guardian having legal custody of a minor to allow that minor to be on or remain in or upon a public assembly, building, place, street or highway in McCracken County under circumstances except as enumerated in Section 3 of the ordinance during curfew hours. Curfew hours: Mon thru Friday 11PM to 5 AM, Saturday and Sunday  1 AM to 5 AM.

Sheriffs deputies will take full advantage of the county ordinance in an attempt to cut down on this activity and hold those parents and guardians responsible.  

Four juveniles ages 14, 16, and 17 will be facing charges of Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree Over $500, and Criminal Mischief 3rd Under $500.

The McCracken County Sheriff's Department will have a zero tolerance dealing with this type of damage to property.

"For those residents that may be alarmed of possible gang activity in this area, there is no indication that there is. This recent activity is nothing more than a group of juveniles calling themselves a gang. With that said, we intend on staying on top of this situation and will continue to monitor it very closely."