AZWEL graffiti on the building next to Walmart on Allentown Road
David Trinko | The Lima News
LIMA — The Lima Police Department provided insight on how it handles graffiti as it can be seen all over Lima in recent years, particularly from an artist with the tag AZWEL.
Graffiti is labeled as vandalism by the police department and when the department is called to respond to graffiti, officers take pictures to attach to their reports.
“Graffiti is a criminal offense and more than likely the suspect would be given a fine, but jail time is a possibility depending on the extent of the damage done and the type of structure the damage was done to,” said Lima Police Det. Sgt. Jason Garlock.
Garlock added his department doesn’t believe the AZWEL graffiti is gang-related.
“The best practice for Lima citizens to assist with eradicating graffiti around town is to call the police department as soon as possible, so arrangements can be made with the City of Lima’s Street Department or owner/landlord of the building, so the graffiti can be removed,” Garlock concluded.
