A rash of graffiti-related vandalism around Philomath has surfaced over the past several days and the local police department hopes to receive tips from the public that could lead to the identity of possible suspects, Chief of Police Dave Gurski said.
Much of the graffiti has been centered around Philomath City Park but damage has also occurred at various other city-owned locations as well as a handful of private businesses.
“The city is willing to offer a reward of $1,000 to anybody that has information that can be used in the successful prosecution of the suspect or suspects that are involved in this,” Gurski said.
Those with information can contact police anonymously through the Philomath Police tip line at 541-929-8075. Information can also be shared through email (police@philomathpolice.gov) or by calling the department’s main line at 541-929-6911.
Philomath Public Works first discovered graffiti Nov. 11 in the new restrooms at Philomath City Park. Located a few steps from a popular playground, the images included representations of male anatomy that are inappropriate for children.
“They’re really hitting the new restrooms inside; they’ve really hammered it,” Public Works Operations Supervisor Garry Black said about clean-up efforts. “We’re trying to keep up.”
The restrooms were completed and opened to the public in 2023. Black said the interior walls were supposed to feature a wipe-and-clean surface but workers have not been able to easily remove the graffiti. More effective cleaning supplies were ordered and Black said there’s been a lot of “scrub by hand.”
“I don’t think it’s going to get it all off,” Black said. “We’re probably going to have to paint the bathroom wall.”
Gurski said graffiti was also discovered on the back side of the older restrooms near Shelter No. 2 on the east end of the park, on picnic tables and on other city-owned property around town.
Police believe that the graffiti that was first noticed dates back to a week to 10 days before its discovery. And more graffiti continues to show up.
“The total damage done at the city parks and on the city property is approximately $3,000 right now,” Gurski said Thursday morning.
Graffiti tagging was seen on at least three buildings of private businesses in town. A sort of signature or symbol that identifies the person performing the act, the tagging could not be linked to any gangs or other groups.
“The style appears to be the same and the images seem to be very similar,” Gurski said when asked if the incidents appeared to be connected.
The criminal activity has forced Philomath Police to perform extra patrols at various times of the day and night.
“I think we have 16 of 17 documented extra patrols between the day shift and graveyard,” Gurski said. “We’ve also followed up with businesses trying to determine where they’re purchasing the paint or stealing the paint. I would say the investigation at this point is probably upwards of 25 to 30 man hours.”
Asked if police have been able to collect any video or images through camera technology, Gurski said, “It’s an ongoing investigation so we’re not going to share what we have as far as suspects on video.”
However, he added, “That has led to the apprehension of suspects before in criminal investigations and we expect that we’ll probably utilize that in this one as well.”
Philomath has seen bouts of graffiti in the past. Black, who has worked in Philomath for several years, mentioned that it’s typically an act that lasts for a week or two and then goes away for about a year.
“We had a similar incident probably back in 2016 or 2017 where we had one individual that was doing some tagging on signs, primarily stop signs, road signs, utility boxes and things like that,” Gurski recalled. “We were able to catch him and prosecute him but he was responsible for several thousand dollars worth of damage.”
