LODI–

Lodi park officials are upset at a spike in graffiti vandalism at Legion Park.  The administration building which houses the restrooms was hit hard over the weekend. It was cleaned up by the city graffiti crew on Monday morning, but was hit again that night.

Police say the graffiti was gang tagging. Nearby residents fear it could lead to more gang activity. Janet Perryman has lived across the street for nearly 40 years. She said she’s seen drug sales going on at the park.

“They are bold, they do it in broad daylight in front of children playing in the park and their families,” said Perryman.

Perryman says neighbors keep a watch on the park and hope that the rash of vandalism isn’t a sign of things to come. She does praise the city for its policy of cleaning up graffiti within 24 hours of finding it.

That also goes for Stockton resident Yuitha Soth, who was at the park with his girlfriend.

“I come here because it’s a nicer park than most of the parks in Stockton,” said Soth.

He says he understands why families might want to shy away from a park that’s plastered with graffiti.

“It looks bad,” said Soth.

Park officials say graffiti comes and goes in cycles, but the last few days were especially bad. Police patrols have been increased and the city is considering more lighting and security cameras since most of the damage occurs at night or early morning.