SOUTH BEND — It's an epidemic that's already grown to record proportions on South Bend's west side. But now, some are worried graffiti may also be a sign of a much larger problem: an increase in gang activity.

The numbers are staggering.

"We have painted over 282 sites already this year," said South Bend Weed and Seed Coordinator Mark Dollinger. Last year it was 290 for the whole year."

And those 282 sites are only in the city's 2nd and 6th districts, where Weed and Seed grant money has funded cleanup efforts. South Bend Police estimate an additional 200 graffiti sites haven't even been touched yet.

But some say paint isn't the only problem.

They're worried that gangs are behind the rapid increase in "tags," and that has some living in high graffiti areas worried.

"There's graffiti everywhere," said Sandra Hernandez, whose home just off Western Avenue has been "tagged" several times this summer.

From houses and garages to stop signs and even trees, it seems nothing has been left untouched by a spray can.

"We don't know what time they do it. You don't know if they're around your house, walking down your yard. But it sure seems like there's more gangs around. Because you see different signs everywhere," said Hernandez.

City clean up crews are working to paint over them, but even with two employees now painting full-time, 5 days a week, Dollinger says they just can't keep up.

"That's a major concern," he said. "Because many of the tags out there are identifying the certain gangs that are out there."

It's one reason why South Bend's Health and Public Safety Committee met Wednesday to search for new solutions.

The problem, some said, is not with the lack of harsh punishment. State laws already impose strict penalties on anyone caught defacing public or private property. Even stricter felony charges await those convicted of causing more than $250 in damage to a religious building or school.

"The tools are there. It's a question of, how are they being implemented?" Common Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski-Ferrand told the committee.

The problem, agreed the panel, is catching those responsible and proving they committed the vandalism.

South Bend Police did arrest a juvenile last month, suspected of tagging dozens of local sites. And since then, instances of graffiti have dropped slightly.

But his prosecution marks the first graffiti charges filed by the city in nearly 3 years. Meanwhile, the tags being left behind by those who haven't been caught have grown more troubling for police.

"We've really seen a big spike in the graffiti. Gangs are here. There is no question, gangs are here," said Common Council Member Derek Dieter, who is also a South Bend Police Officer. "It's just the resources that we have to go out and confront the gangs and the problems they cause. It's a huge concern."

But the bigger concern stems from new gang signs, left by gangs police and city leaders didn't think were in the South Bend area. In many case, their tags are left right next to signs from already established gangs, and some worry that could signal a turf war is already underway.

"We're seeing some gangs that--in the past--had gone away," said Dollinger. "Now they seem to be reappearing. And that's of concern. They want to identify themselves and say, 'this is where I ply my trade. This is what we do. Come join us.' It also says, 'this is my territory, stay away."

Weed and seed volunteers are trying to prevent that from happening.

But there's a problem.

"Our dollars are going to be gone at the end of August for our graffiti program," said Dollinger.

He estimates the city has already spent $5,000 on graffiti cleanup this year, and $20,000 over the last 3 years.

That spending has also dried up funding for other Weed and Seed initiatives, like after school programs. Those programs help keep youths off the streets and away from "at risk" behaviors like tagging.

If a new funding source isn't found, city leaders are worried the problem will only get worse.

"One kid sees it, another kid does it, and it just keeps going on and on and on," said Dieter. "I don't know what'll happen if we get to that point."

But Hernandez says she does.

"[My kids might be caught in the crossfire,] It worries me. It's just dangerous as the days go by. You don't know what to expect anymore."

City leaders identified several potential solutions during Wednesday's meeting.

Among those discussed:

-Partnering with South Bend Schools to form new educational tools on the dangers of graffiti
-Limiting the sale of spray paint to minors
-Adding temporary surveillance cameras in high graffiti areas to catch vandals in the act
-Establishing a "hotline" where graffiti can be reported anonymously

But Dieter says the single most important step is increased enforcement, and prosecution of those responsible for the graffiti already tainting walls across the west side.

"To have plain clothes officers out there every day, morning or night; the kids never know when a policeman's going to come around the corner. Definitely that is a big deterrent."

The question now, is whether the city will have funds to pay for it all. Dollinger has also requested additional funding in next year's budget to keep Weed and Seed programs running.

Common Council members will begin shaping the city's 2009 budget on July 21st.

The Health and Public Safety Committee will also discuss two other "quality of life" ordinances in August and September regarding noise and lawn parking during Notre Dame home football games.