Strange, white circles spray-painted near Ballard homes

According to reports, a newspaper delivery driver spray-painted white circles on homes near Ballard to help identify where he needed to toss newspapers in the dark. According to reports, a newspaper delivery driver spray-painted white circles on homes near Ballard to help identify where he needed to toss newspapers in the dark. Photo: Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Strange, white circles spray-painted near Ballard homes 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

At least a handful of residents in and around Ballard reported strange graffiti outside their homes last weekend.

Police reports show residents along Ninth Avenue Northwest reported the strange, white circles spray-painted outside their homes, on rocks, flower pots and on steps facing the street.

The Seattle Police Department said it hadn't come to any conclusions on the incidents, but the paint was being cleaned up.

As it happened, the paint may simply have been the work of a newspaper delivery driver.

My Ballard reported that Seattle Newspaper Distribution, the company that delivers The Seattle Times, said it was an "elderly" delivery driver who was recently hired and had painted the white circles to help him see where to deliver in the dark.

The district manager was going out to clean up the paint, according to the report.

The Seattle Times didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Daniel DeMay covers Seattle culture, city hall, and transportation for seattlepi.com. He can be reached at 206-448-8362 or danieldemay@seattlepi.com. Follow him on Twitter: @Daniel_DeMay.