"Lawn tagging" vandals plague San Jose neighborhood

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Lawns in a San Jose, Calif. neighborhood are being targeted by vandals armed with poison in a new crime wave dubbed "lawn tagging," reports CBS San Francisco.

It's hard to miss the bizarre streaks and patches of dead grass on nearly every lawn on Moreland Way in San Jose, according to the station.

"It's just a phenomenon. We don't know what it is or what kind of chemical they're using," resident Suzanne Johnson told the station.

Johnson said the vandals have poisoned more than 20 lawns on her street.

Jim Beidadsch recently put in a new lawn and was getting ready to sell his home when his lawn was ruined by the vandals. He is offering a reward to catch those responsible.

A few houses down, Tony Athan is looking at $5,000 worth of damage, reports the station.

On Monday, Athan and his neighbors filed police reports.

"We want it to stop. The people here take a lot of pride in their homes. It's a big street, it's quiet," said resident Frank Maggi.

The neighborhood association has reportedly put up fliers on the block and created an email account for people to send anonymous tips.

"I'm not sure if they have something against the street or maybe they've lived here or maybe, it's hard to say," Johnson said.

Residents who have lived in the area for decades said this type of vandalism hasn't happened before. Many have been prompted to install surveillance cameras and outdoor lights.