The tag is in reference to the Sureños 13 gang, also known as Sur 13 or Sur Trece’, which has been identified by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office as an area gang.
Dayton police said more than six businesses in that area were tagged sometime early Thursday.
“Tagging of specific areas and crossing out of other names or symbols on walls means they are announcing their presence,” Dayton Detective Chad Knight said.
David Bertke, owner of Rich’s Pawn Shop, in the 700 block of Watervliet, said detectives told him Thursday that Sur 13 is a subgroup of the Mexican Mafia and is prone to violence.
Lt. Chris Williams, commander of the Second Police District, would not confirm Bertke’s statement.
“It does worry me about what the police said (Thursday),” Bertke said about the possible gang connection. “I hope they patrol the area a little more. That’s all they can do, I guess.”
Employees at the Beer Depot, directly across from the pawn shop, said they noticed young kids hanging out about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
None of the businesses tagged had outside video surveillance.
Knight said it’s not the first time he’s seen a “Sur 13” tag in the city, but the abundance and concentration found Thursday was unusual.
Bertke said, “We’ve been here since 1987 and this is the first time we’ve seen something like this. But we aren’t going anywhere.”
Keep reading: Possible gang tags in east Dayton prompt concern
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