Police will not solve this problem alone. The City leadership has to recognize that these vandals are criminals. The the City leadership needs to focus on education and after school programs.

Email your city council member, I have repeatedly. Email Brooke levin, head of public works.
We only have four people painting over tags in the entire city. Do it!!

My councilperson, Lynette M. has never once responded to me. Neither has Mayor Quan, nor Rebecca Kaplan or Libby Schaff. I do, however, get daily election fundraising emails from them without fail.

IG from what I've learned this is likely an adult who may or may not be from Oakland.

Agreed this is bigger than just needing more police.Our police force will never be large enough to stay ahead of cuts in education,Lack of job opportunity for youth and systemic whittling down of middle class.
Challenge those that are sending that campaign literature for answers.We must hold them and ourselves accountable if we want to see change.

Do any of you resesrch your hunches?

Yes, and I continue to attempt to work with the City of Oakland. I write, I call and i document my efforts.

City of Oakland Public Works Department addressed this issue on 10/24/2014, service request # 546569.