The word “Voldemort” has been written in permanent marker on 50 to 75 stop signs throughout the city of Wauwatosa, WI. Take a step back and look at the entire sign, and the message becomes “Stop Voldemort,” a nod to the villain in the novels and movies.

While the police understand that this is not the crime of the century, the problem is starting to accumulate.

Cleaning chemicals have damaged some stop signs’ finish, which means they will need to be replaced at a cost of $80 each.

Police say, “You couldn’t find a more important sign to vandalize. It’s imperative people can read a stop sign.”

The Wauwatosa vandals were not the brains behind the campaign. An Internet search shows countless Web sites, Facebook pages and YouTube videos showing Voldemort-marked stop signs from Philadelphia to England.

Police are asking residents to keep their eyes open and notify the police if they see people loitering around or drawing on stop signs.

Officers started noticing the vandalism a week ago.

Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for tips that lead to an arrest in these crimes. Anyone with information should call (414) 771-TOSA.

Source: Wauwatosa Now