People out for a leisurely walk or jog or an invigorating bike ride down the Isaac Branch trail have gotten a rude awakening lately: obscene graffiti spray painted on bridge supports under the Puncheon Run connector.
The work purports to be that of “The Woods Gang,” although local police say they have not heard of any group going by that name.
Written in fluorescent orange enamel, the graffiti insults gays and state employees and threatens police officers.
One says “Kill cop callers,” a threat against people who “snitch” or call police when they witness criminal activity. Just beyond the bridge is an outline of a body, similar to that scene at murder scenes, spray-painted on the asphalt pathway.
Although shocking, finding this kind of graffiti is relatively rare in this area, said DelDOT spokesman Mike Williams. When present, it usually is on easy to reach structures such as bridge supports, abutments and walls, he said.
“Graffiti is a rampant problem in dozens of locations, but its much less frequent in Kent and Sussex than in New Castle County,” Williams said.
DelDOT authorities had not been notified about the vulgarisms before being contacted by the Dover Post, Williams added.
“Truthfully, we don’t get reports on graffiti if it’s where it’s not easily seen by the public,” he said. “We don’t see it in Kent and Sussex because our road network isn’t as elaborate.
“In Milford, there are a lot of overpasses where graffiti appears on occasion.
When it’s there, we look to deal with it,” Williams added.
DelDOT has a standing policy of removing obscene or offensive graffiti as quickly as possible, he said. Otherwise, it is cleaned up during regular inspections or maintenance visits.
“The expenditure of resources and time to clean up graffiti is costly,” Williams said. “If someone paints a flower on something, its not as if they put up racial slurs. It will get attention, but not as expeditiously as the more vulgar graffiti would.”
DelDOT authorities also have no power to arrest or detain offenders, even if they’re caught in the act, Williams said.
Delaware State Police from Troop 3 have investigated reports not only of graffiti being painted under the bridge, but of people illegally riding all-terrain vehicles or motorcycles on the pathway, which is reserved only for walkers, runners or bicyclists.
“We’ve responded to that area about various graffiti reports and subjects riding ATVs there,” said police spokesman Cpl. Thomas Guarini. Officers look for “tags,” which are symbols or words certain graffiti artists use to sign their work and to gain notoriety in that community.
