Oak Park officials are asking for help from residents to identify the people responsible for a recent rash of graffiti in the unincorporated Ventura County community.

The latest vandalism spree mostly affected walls and structures on county and Rancho Simi park district land.

“People see it but they don’t do anything. Then they call me three days later to get it cleaned up. But graffiti is a crime, just like any other crime,” said Mike Green, Municipal Advisory Council chair.

“We want people to call the sheriff when they see it so deputies can come out and take pictures of it to compare the images with others,” Green said.

Ed Hayduk, assistant general manager for the park district, said vandalism is an ongoing problem for his agency.

“Lately it’s been consistent that we’ve been hit throughout the weekend,” Hayduk said.

In addition to graffiti, people have damaged the parks by driving their vehicles on turf areas, the park official said. Last year, culprits defaced signs on Kanan Road and about a dozen other properties.

“Hopefully people will keep an eye out for problems,” MAC member Mike Paule said.

Generally, park employees take photos and remove tagging within 24 hours.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Capt. Brent Kerr said graffiti has always been an issue. “But the degree of the issue is determined by the level of enforcement and awareness,” Kerr said.

Those responsible for the crime in Oak Park have not been caught, so authorities need help from residents to identify the culprits.

“That is our best defense on finding out who may be involved or know who is responsible,” Kerr said.

Graffiti should be reported to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department at (805) 654-9511.