Newton police warn that a rise in the amount of city graffiti could lead to gang fights over turf.

Sgt. Bryan Hall said on Thursday that there have been 57 cases of new graffiti found in the past six months. He says gangs often use the tags to mark their territory.

Hall says the increase has caused police to shift patrols to downtown and near the skate park. Police hopes residents will report graffiti using the department’s crime tracking application.

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Associated Press Information from: KAKE-TV.