Pac-Man, Black Cat Graffiti Spotted in Davidsonville

Pac-Man and black cat graffiti recently appeared on several traffic signs in Davidsonville, specifically at the intersection of Central Avenue and Route 424. 

The popular character from a 1980s video game appears on several street signs and traffic-warning signals at the intersection. Just across the way at the flowerbed island sponsored by Homestead Gardens is more graffiti—of a small black cat. The cat images don't seem to resemble a specific cartoon character, but they are all identical in design as if a stencil was used.

State Highway Administration spokesman Charlie Gischlar said the Pac-Man images in Davidsonville aren't the first he's heard of in Maryland. In fact, Bowie Patch reported on a series of Pac-Man graffiti on mailboxes and roadways in Prince George's County just a few months ago. 

Several readers have asked what the graffiti means—some wondering if it might be a sign of "drug activity." Patch contacted the police department's public information officer Justin Mulcahy to see if the graffiti had any negative connotation but did not hear back from the spokesman. 

Gischlar said that work crews from their Annapolis hub are cruising around every day looking for graffiti and other projects needing their attention, but said the replacement of vandalized signs depends on the nature of the graffiti and potential safety concerns. 

"When [graffiti] comes up we handle it. If you do it at a stop sign, you could be putting someone's life at risk, so we do take it seriously but it's a case by case basis," Gischlar said. "If it's a big check mark or a smiley face, we intend to get it but it's not something we need right away ... If it influences safety, we take it very seriously." 

Patch searched for additional graffiti around Central and Birdsville avenues and Route 424, but did not find additional images on street signs. 

Have you seen the Pac-Man or black cat images?