Gang Graffiti in Lookout Valley

On Monday the words Vatolocos showed up in several places in the Tiftonia area. Now families in this part of Hamilton County are concerned that's the name of the new gang in town.

"I dont even know what it said I guess you would have to be a gang member to read it," says Phil McKnelly.

When McKnelly and others noticed the word Vatolocos spray painted on the walls of the Lions Club they immediately called police. The gang graffiti has hit several businesses in town.

"This is just such a quiet community over here and it was just kind of hard or kind of scarey to think that gangs are starting up over here if that's what it was," says Ruth Holcomb who works at another business that was hit.

Chattanooga Police tells Newschannel9 that Vatolocos is the name of a dangerous nationally known hispanic gang that could be making its way to Lookout Valley.

Sergeant Todd Royvall says the gang is just like any other dangerous. He says they haven't found any Vatolocos gang members yet but these markings will make the crime suppression unit step up patrol in the area.

"Alert the community that they need to be on alert that there is gangs working in here. Several people say we dont have gangs, but I know we do now," says McKnelly.

Police will be stepping up patrols in the area, looking for individuals who dress or dress in a certain way to match that gangs attire. However, officers would not tell us what those gang colors are.

As for the clean up Councilwoman Linda Bennett says the city has a group of students that will clean up the graffiti on the walls.