Gang Activity Brings Graffiti, Business Owner Says Not on His Watch

SPRING HILL, FL – If you've lived in the Spring Hill area for more than a few years, you've probably noticed an increase in gang activity and violent crime. Homicides, Shootings, stabbings, carjackings, and home invasions are occurring more often, especially near the intersection of Northcliffe Blvd and Mariner Blvd or what is referred to as "Three Corners."

Residents living in Mariner Cay Apartments say they've had enough, and many of them have decided to pack up and leave the area due to Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis ignoring calls to do something about the violence. Nienhuis refuses to acknowledge accusations that crime is on the rise and instead touts his self-reporting Starcom system. The problem with Starcom is that the agency can manipulate the data before it is released to the community. For example, recently, there was a shooting in the Hill 'N Dale subdivision. According to the Sheriff's Office, the incident was classified as a "Suspicious Incident," not a shooting. Because Nienhuis and his administration have total control over the system, without third-party oversight, Starcom can essentially be used to present any crime statistics he sees fit.

One tell-tale sign that gangs are winning the battle against law enforcement is territorial graffiti being placed in public areas. Graffiti has never been a major problem in Hernando County until recently when it began showing up on fences and businesses.

A few weeks ago, R News started receiving complaints about "gang tags" being painted on a retaining wall in front of the Goodyear Tire Service Center on Northcliffe Blvd. Despite numerous complaints, no one has taken the initiative, possibly under threat of retaliation, to clean up the graffiti. That is until a local business decided he would do something about it.

When R News sponsor Dura Guard Paver Sealing owner Nick Smith heard about the graffiti, he decided to take action to help clean up the neighborhood. On Friday, Smith and his crew used their equipment to remove all the graffiti from about 150 feet of concrete retaining wall. The effort took several hours and a lot of manpower, but they finally brought the wall back to its original condition.

This isn't the first time Smith donated his time to clean up gang graffiti. A few years ago, he removed graffiti from residential fences along Powell Road near Chocachatti Elementary School so that students wouldn't have to be exposed to some of the vulgar images.

"My kids drive by here every day; they see this stuff, you know. They see pictures of male genitalia spray painted on the walls. This is Spring Hill; I raised my family here just like you raised yours here. It's a small town that still has small-town charm. There's no room for that crap here," says Smith.

We tried to reach the Sheriff's Office for comment but they yet to respond.