Boston Medical Center, nearby cars vandalized in South End

BOSTON — Neighbors in the South End woke up Sunday to discover their community had been targeted in a destructive vandalism spree.

Graffiti was etched across cars, brownstones and several Boston Medical Center buildings. The hospital says it is now coordinating a cleanup of the graffiti on its property.

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A BMC spokeswoman told Boston 25 News that campus public safety officers made the discovery early Sunday morning. Cryptic messages and other odd phrases mentioning former President Barack Obama and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren were etched in at least 12 different places.

Several cars parked on Massachusetts Avenue stretching from Washington Street to Albany Street were also targeted – graffiti scribbled on the sides of those vehicles.

Residents describe dealing with their share of problems associated with those who frequent the addiction treatment programs in the area – but this widespread vandalism is hitting a nerve.

"It has some sort of political motive but doesn't seem to be too constructive in the message they're getting across," said Colin Eldridge, a South End resident, of the graffiti.

"There’s no appreciation," added Richard Michaud, a fellow resident of the South End. "When you see the mess you don't think twice about throwing your gum wrapper, because if you can’t beat them, join them. It's crazy."

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As more and more residents take notice of the vandalism on Boston Medical Center’s campus, there are questions as to who is going to take care of the cleanup outside of hospital property.

Boston Police says it’s important that all vandalism victims file reports to give the city a sense of how many people may have been affected.

Campus public safety officers were first alerted by reports of a man dressed in black scribbling and scrawling in the early morning hours.

Despite cameras set up in the area, neighbors aren't hopeful that the vandal in this case will be caught. According to police, the security cameras are primarily pointed toward the hospital’s entrance and not the scenes of the spraying.

The transient flow of people also complicates identifying the vandal.

Cox Media Group