Tagging suspects caught on camera amid growing graffiti problem in South LA

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Gang members going around South Los Angeles and tagging buildings is becoming a major problem. The most recent incident was caught on camera, and residents said they are frustrated.

Video shows a brazen crime in broad daylight as a suspected gang member tags a fence.

Angry residents living near Vernon and McKinley avenues, many of whom were too afraid to go on camera, said the graffiti is a growing concern as residential buildings, commercial structures and public schools are all being targeted.

Neighbors said over the last three weeks, gang activity and tagging increased significantly. They added that as soon as they paint over the graffiti, it is back in a matter of hours.

"All the neighbors in the area are pretty frustrated at the situation. We've contacted the city and it seems like the city hasn't done anything about it," said one resident.

Many said they hope the surveillance video will be able to help catch at least two of the taggers.

With so much graffiti across the city and many gang members, it is a tough war to win in areas like Vernon and McKinley -- a hot spot for the Los Angeles Police Department's gang enforcement detail.

Sgt. Vince Di Mauro of the LAPD said the department is doing the best it can with its limited resources.

"There's a number of gangs that associate with that one area, so each of them are trying to tag over each other to claim their territory. So, like I said, we do the best we can to go through different alleyways and just work the neighborhoods and the schools," he said.

The department said it needs the public's help tracking down the suspects. Anyone with information was urged to contact the LAPD, and callers may remain anonymous.