SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint Police Department recently unveiled an anonymous tips line designed to counteract the city’s escalating graffiti problem.

The number, 255-TIPS, was developed to help neutralize a recent rash of vandalism, but can be used to report any crimes within the city, according to Police Chief Mark Lockwood.

“I think it needs to be more than just a graffiti line,” Lockwood said. “I think it needs to be encompassing enough to cover any type of illegal activity that impacts the quality of life within the city.”

Lockwood is also working with a number of local entities, including the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association, to help develop a more comprehensive tips program.

“We’re working with the DSBA to hopefully form a subcommittee of business

owners and citizens that are concerned so we can develop a full-blown tips project where we can maybe come up with some reward money,” he said.

Lockwood said there have been no major graffiti sprees since early February, but older markings near the city boardwalk have alarmed a number of area residents.

Lockwood said the markings, known as “tags,” are not gang related and were likely perpetrated months ago by the same juveniles responsible for tagging the Healing Garden last November.

In February, two 14-year-old Sandpoint boys were found guilty of misdemeanor vandalism charges in that case.

Lockwood said the tags have not been painted over because of their somewhat obscure location and the time of year they were discovered.

“There are a lot of reasons why it hasn’t been dealt with,” he said. “It went into winter and it was a low priority. I’d be the first to say we need to get out there and it needs to be painted over and it needs to be dealt with, but I don’t see anything there that’s new.”

The boardwalk is used during July’s annual Wooden Boat Show, but Lockwood said the markings will be gone by then.