The Arlington County Police Department is asking for the public’s help in investigating dozens of traffic signs vandalized with anti-fascist graffiti.
The wave of vandalism incidents, many of which involve the word “fascism” written under the word “stop,” has been going on for months — at a significant cost to taxpayers, according to local officials.
ACPD is investigating a series of graffiti incidents on traffic signage throughout neighborhoods in N. Arlington and seeking the public's assistance identifying and locating the suspect(s) responsible. Report tips to 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. pic.twitter.com/CvdBExTbu2
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) August 5, 2025
Since Jan. 1, the Department of Environmental Service has replaced around 60 signs because of graffiti, county spokesperson Katie O’Brien told ARLnow. Each replacement costs around $250, not including labor.
“Because of the reflective coating on the signs, paint cannot be removed without likely causing damage,” O’Brien said.
In total, the county has received around 70 reports of vandalized signs this year, many concentrated in the Tara-Leeway Heights neighborhood. That number is up significantly from 15 vandalism incidents in 2024 and 10 in 2023.
ACPD has also received reports for vandalism in the Westover, Bluemont and Highland Park-Overlee Knolls neighborhoods, police spokesperson Ashley Savage told ARLnow.
One tipster told ARLnow that he has documented over 100 vandalized signs in recent months, including no parking signs, speed hump signs and speed limit signs in addition to stop signs.
In some instances, he said he has seen the county replace signs, only for the vandal to strike again.
“I asked if the County could put out a notification for citizens to check security cameras and provide detail to police for further investigation of the perpetrator(s) as this looks terrible and is getting outrageous, costly and a complete waste of time/resources,” the tipster said.
Graffiti on public property is considered destruction or defacing of property, O’Brien said. It may be prosecuted under relevant sections of county or state law.
Police are asking people to check home security systems for video footage that might help with the investigation, and to contact APCD’s tip line at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. People can also report information anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-8477.
