AHOSKIE – A reward is now posted in an effort to nab those responsible for writing graffiti on buildings within the town of Ahoskie.

Ahoskie Police Chief Troy Fitzhugh reported a cash reward of $500 is available for those providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the graffiti artists.

“The town and several business owners here in town have come up with this reward money,” Fitzhugh said. “The problem with graffiti artists appears to be growing and we want to stop this before it gets any further out of hand.”

Fitzhugh added that other Ahoskie businesses are welcomed to add to the reward. Those wishing to do so are urged to contact his office at 332-5011. That same number can be used to report those engaged in painting graffiti.

In the meantime, Chief Fitzhugh said his department will continue to beef-up patrols throughout town, especially within the business districts, in an effort to catch these graffiti artists in the act.

“Once those responsible are apprehended, we will seek to impose the most severe penalty the law allows,” Fitzhugh promised.

He also asked business owners to report these incidents as soon as they become aware they were targets of the graffiti artists. Additionally he urged business owners and citizens to keep an eye out for one or more individuals lurking around any place of business or residence.

“I’ve instructed my officers to keep an eye out for these graffiti artists, but the more eyes we have out there, the better the chance we have to arrest those responsible,” Fitzhugh concluded. “Hopefully the reward money will help us in our efforts to catch those responsible for this.”