“It’s hard telling why there’s been so much,” graffiti that has appeared in recent weeks said Finley. “Sometimes people get out jail and it’s their way of announcing that they’re back on the streets.”Asked if it was possible that the vandals knew that the Graffiti Removal Officer was on vacation Finley said, “They can know more than you’d think...word gets out.”At least one of the tags - several in a cluster that appeared on a block wall of home in an upper-scale residential neighborhood - alluded to Oxnard, which might signify a tagging war between crews or be the work of gang members declaring their territory.Most taggers are more than likely juveniles or young adults flirting with gang affiliations using the graffiti as a way to get attention.That’s why the city’s Graffiti Removal Officer is up bright and early patrolling the city and destroying the work of vandals.“If other people don’t see it what’s the point?” the proven theory behind prompt graffiti removal said Finley.If you see graffiti on public or private property please report it to the Graffiti Clean Up Hotline, 921-1668.If you suspect taggers are in the area notify the SPPD at 525-4474.
Graffiti: Vandalism striking Santa Paula
August 25, 2006
Santa Paula News
No one knows for sure whether or not it was a coincidence, but when the Santa Paula’s Graffiti Removal Officer went on vacation the vandalism started showing up all over town, according to a city official.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesNo one knows for sure whether or not it was a coincidence, but when the Santa Paula’s Graffiti Removal Officer went on vacation the vandalism started showing up all over town, according to a city official.Graffiti - in some places multiple examples of defacement with different tags - was reported in residential areas, the Downtown Central Business District and on the Santa Paula Theater Center among other locations.With the city’s Graffiti Removal Officer on vacation City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz and Police Chief Steve MacKinnon scrambled to find a replacement to start the paint out and clean up, said Acting City Manager Cliff Finley.A Public Works employee was dispatched to handle the outbreak that even struck on the floor of the Rotary Club built pergola at Ebell Park, which was defaced with painted tags.“The city’s graffiti removal officer is out early in the morning so we never see,” what was painted during the evening hours, noted Finley. “He does a great job and provides Public Works with a ton of information,” related to department operations. “He’s really been a great addition to city staff.”The City Council, recognizing that graffiti begets more graffiti, approved hiring a Graffiti Removal Officer who cruises the streets in the early morning hours looking for vandalism and responding to reports received about graffiti on public and private property.Graffiti abatement is a top priority and the Santa Paula Police Department has targeted vandals, the effort resulting in multiple arrests in recent weeks.
