SEATTLE - The scenic views that surround the northern tip of West Seattle are part of the reason Chuck Houston thinks the Admiral District is a great place to live, but lately, a rash of gang graffiti has tarnished the neighborhood's appearance.

Chuck Houston

The common link in several graffiti cases is that the tags appeared to be various forms of the number 13.

"It's very concerning because it appears they're trying to designate and mark new territory," said Houston.

Over the weekend, Houston discovered his collector 1967 Oldsmobile, parked in an underground garage in the 2300 block of 42 Ave SW, was plastered with gang graffiti. The same vehicle was one of roughly 10 cars that were similarly vandalized last month.

Less than a mile away, a couple reported unknown suspects sprayed several graffiti tags on the fence in the back of their property. According to the Seattle Police report, similar graffiti tags were found on houses along the alley north of the the couple's house.

The common link in these cases is that the tags appeared to be various forms of the number 13.

Gang experts tell KING 5 the 13 is a reference to Surenos 13, a family of Mexican gangs that originated in Southern California.

According to law enforcement sources, Surenos 13 is not a new gang in the area. In fact, the various affiliates of Surenos 13 have had a presence in West Seattle, South Park, White Center, Ballard, Greenwood and other neighborhoods.

"West Seattle residents have been victims of gang crimes for years," a law enforcement source tells KING 5. "They just may not have been aware of it."