Graffiti atop SF Pacific Heights building draws mixed reactions. How did it get up there?
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco police are investigating after graffiti was discovered high atop a building in the city's Pacific Heights neighborhood, where some believe the taggers may have rappelled down the structure to leave their mark.
The graffiti was found on a co-op building at 1940 Vallejo St. near Octavia Street.
The property manager said efforts are underway to remove it, though it remains unclear when that work will be completed.
Residents offered mixed reactions to the graffiti, which stands out in a neighborhood where such displays are uncommon.
"I think it would have been cool if they did something brighter," said Renee Schlesinger, who lives nearby. "This is a very kind of staid kind of neighborhood. And I think it's kind of nice to have something different."
MORE: After attempts to report vandalism, San Francisco homeowner gets graffiti notice from city
Others were surprised to see tagging in that part of the city.
"You don't see that kind of tagging on the north side of the city," San Francisco resident Greg Dalton said.
Despite the differing opinions, San Francisco Public Works has ordered that the graffiti be removed. A notice posted on the historic building Thursday morning requires its removal within 30 days.
"From the city perspective, we just don't want graffiti around, you know? We don't want it to be there. We did get 311 complaints about this graffiti on this building. We didn't go out looking for it and when we got the complaint, we needed to respond," said Rachel Gordon, of San Francisco Public Works.
311 refers to the city's customer service center where residents can call for nonemergency needs.
One resident of the co-op building, who spoke off camera, said the graffiti is not a good look for the property and should be removed.
San Francisco District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherill, who represents Pacific Heights, criticized those responsible in a statement saying:
"Not only are these jerks destroying property, but their actions are also shockingly dangerous. We hope no one else is foolish enough to think this is a good idea. We're working closely with SFPD to review security camera footage and identify and arrest those responsible for this crime."
Some nearby residents, however, expressed admiration for the work and curiosity about how it was created.
"It was pretty wild to see it at first. It's like, wow, how did they get up there? It's kind of beautiful. I know some people think it's graffiti or violence, but I think it's kind of cool and interesting and controversial," Dalton said.
Howard Schlesinger questioned how the graffiti was placed on the building.
"The question I have is how did he do it or how did he or she did that, rappelling? There's no scaffolding," Schlesinger said.
Authorities have not said how the graffiti was created. The markings include the phrases "We own ur city now!," "San Fran" and "Taipei 2 the Bay!" It also says "EO4," known as a rappel tagging group from Taipei, Taiwan.
The San Francisco Police Department said it is seeking those responsible and that a police report was filed August 6. SFPD is asking anybody with information to contact them at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411.
Gordon said there are options if the property owners need an additional 15 days to get the graffiti removed or have a hardship removing it.
