According to a report from ABC 33/40, Anniston is experiencing newfound gang problems, with a gang from Southern California recently descending on the Alabama town to “control this area.”

Growing concern has been building in the community, with residents noticing increased gang graffiti sprayed onto buildings in Anniston.

While Anniston police explain that a white marking that resembles the Star of David is a known gang symbol of the Gangster Disciples, a gang has been around Anniston since the early 1990’s, a new blue marking is being sprayed over the Disciples’ graffiti.

ABC 33/40 reported that this blue graffiti “is associated with another gang from Southern California and fairly new to Anniston.”

“If another gang comes in and crosses out that image, such as the pictures that you have, it’s a sign of disrespect, it’s a sign of saying, ‘No, you don’t control this area. We control this area,’” Captain Nick Bowles with the Anniston Police Department told the news station.

Local law enforcement also outlined that people living in areas where the gangs operate are already aware of their presence.

“It’s their next door neighbor, it’s their grandson, it’s their child that are doing these gangs,” Bowles explained.

Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn