Police looking for east side vandals

Damage found 2 consecutive mornings

MADISON, Wis. — Madison police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the vandals responsible for a rash of graffiti on the city’s east side.

Police said several residents in the Galileo Drive area east of the interstate reported finding homes and vehicles with paint dumped or sprayed on them. About a dozen cases were reported.

Justin Bell owns one of the homes hit Thursday morning.

“As bad as this is, I kind of feel like it was kind of light compared to what could have happened. I mean, we could have had our cars broken into. We could have had someone break into our houses,” Bell said. “I hope this is it and it doesn’t escalate from here.”

Similar damage was found on homes and vehicles on streets off North Thompson Drive just west of the interstate.

Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain said the messages are mostly anti-law enforcement and pro-marijuana.

DeSpain said police believe the crimes were committed by “attention-seeking delinquents.” He said the targets have been random so far, but it is expected that the vandals will tag property again.

“In the past when we have these things take place — graffiti — where there’s a spree and then a second spree, usually they’re not finished unfortunately,” DeSpain said. “So I would advise people, particularly on the east side, to be alert.”

Anyone with information on the identity of the vandals is asked to call Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014.

Madison crime map