NASHVILLE, Tenn. --

When Carlos Hanna picked a new storefront for his cell phone shop along Charlotte Pike, he wanted busy -- just not this kind of busy.

"To be honest, it's just a disaster," said Hanna. "It doesn't help the whole community. It just, it looks bad."

According to Metro police, increased numbers of vandals this summer keep spray-painting parts of West Nashville. Police consider the intersection of 46th Avenue and Charlotte Pike the epicenter.

"They're just marking territory for the heck of it," said Don Aaron, a spokesman for Metro police.

The graffiti is apparent throughout West Nashville, Sylvan Park and Sylvan Heights, including spots along Interstate 440, businesses both shuttered and open, and the new site of Metro's west police precinct.

"There are certain individuals who believe that they're very artistic," said Aaron. "Well, it's against the law. It's vandalism."

Police, at this point, have several suspects. Investigators said they don't believe them to be members of local gangs but admitted charging them without witnesses or direct evidence will be a challenge.

"There is an officer at the West Precinct who is diligently working to develop evidence that he needs to move forward with criminal prosecutions against these individuals," said Aaron.

Hanna's store opens Saturday, and his hopes are high the paint and the bigger problem won't keep customers away.

"Police up here should do something about it," said Hanna.

Metro's Public Works Department has a phone line dedicated to reporting instances of graffiti: 615-880-2444.