BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/FOX58) — Bakersfield is no stranger to graffiti, in fact, the Bakersfield Police Department is looking for this a man seen vandalizing an East Bakersfield fence in front of an apartment complex this past November.

A crime that’s punishable up to a felony.

"It depends on the amount of damage, how much the clean up costs, and so it can be misdemeanor or it can be a felony depending on the damage that is done," said Robert Pair with the Bakersfield Police Department.

Pair said the graffiti vandalism stems from two main groups.

“It depends on where it is and what it says, but its usually 50/50 tagging or gang related.”

Both the City of Bakersfield and the Bakersfield Police Department have goals of eradicating tagging when it is reported.

According to the City of Bakersfield, over the last five years, the number of reported service requests to the city has increased.

Each year growing to an average of over 5,000 reports.

The City of Bakersfield only responds to requests within city limits.

Back in March, a Grand Jury report was released on graffiti in Kern County reported that the city possessed a team of 12 workers and 12 trucks that tackle graffiti clean up efforts.

The report showed that taxpayers in the city spent nearly $2.4 million for graffiti abatement between 2020 and 2021.

“One thing I think we all know is that if you leave graffiti up it encourages further graffiti so the quicker it can get taken down the better," said Pair.

The City of Bakersfield encourages residents to use the Bakersfield City app or call 32-ERASE (661-323-7273) to report graffiti.