CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg authorities say they’ve seen a major increase in the number of graffiti cases.

Mike Ratcliffe, one of dozens of contracted graffiti removers in the city, says washing away the paint is becoming a very expensive endeavor.

“This job is about $100,” he said as he cleaned away a spot that has been hit three times now.

Officials say the Queen City has experienced a 500 percent increase in such vandalism over five years.

In fact, in just the last six months, half of the city’s graffiti happened in a one square-mile radius around South Tryon Street in southwest Charlotte.

The signs in one vacated area in that radius make it very unwelcoming.

“When you go there, it’s neighborhood after neighborhood, house after house, tagged,” said Mike Sullivan, a graffiti code enforcement officer.

And about 75 percent of the writing on the wall is gang-related, making it not only costly to remove, but dangerous if left.

“So what you want to do is remove it as quickly as possible so they know someone is watching and the property is taken care of,” Sullivan said.

With 1,500 unsightly signs expected in 2007, Charlotte’s tag-removal teams are busy.

Authorities say if you see graffiti of any type, report it by calling the city’s 311 line.