Graffiti scrawled on commercial properties on Main Street, a railroad underpass and properties along Newport Avenue have caught the attention of police and Northampton Borough Council.

Council Vice President Robert McHale at the Aug. 15 council meeting brought up the issue of graffiti on commercial buildings along Main Street.

Councilman Anthony Pristash, president of the Northampton Area Chamber of Commerce, echoed McHale's concern.

Council members discussed possible remedies such as a $200 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

The borough has a zero tolerance for vandalism, police Chief Ron Morey said Monday.

"We are following leads in the investigation," Morey said.

Morey added he hopes leads result in arrests.

The graffiti was promptly removed from the properties, either by scrubbing off the scrawled lettering or painting over it.

One commercial property on Main Street had the letters "askar" printed on it. Police do not believe the incidents are gang related or bear any special significance.

What is bothersome to borough officials is that the graffiti incidents spread from Main Street to the Norfolk Southern Railroad concrete underpass on Laubach Avenue and onto private properties on Newport Avenue.

Councilman Anthony Lopsonzski Sr, a retired borough police officer, said the minimum fine should be $500 with additional costs added for prosecution. He said violators should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.