“We get word of graffiti from the public, but the problem we’re having now is we can’t just go on private property — we need a signature and an authorization that we can go and remove this graffiti,” said Sandee Selner, director of the diversion program.
In the program, first-time felony offenders are eligible to complete a combination of community service and restitution in order to avoid convictions and possibly eventually have the felony charges erased from their records, Selner said. The graffiti removal work is part of the community service aspect of the program.
Any taggers who are arrested are also referred to the graffiti team as part of their sentencing to go back out in the community and remove graffiti, Selner said.
Participants have removed more than 350 spots from across the city and county so far this year, said program supervisor Dave McCann.
“It’s not art — it’s somebody’s tag and it’s an eyesore,” he said.
Some well-known tags across the city, such as the old Primary Spirit store on Lagonda Avenue, have been on the program’s radar for some time, but organizers cannot get ahold of the building’s owner.
Neighbors in the area said they would love to see the tagging removed from the property.
“I sit on the porch and look up the street and see that,” said Kris Feeser, referring to the blue spray paint on the side of the building.
“It’s annoying is what it is,” he added.
Any property owner — whether it be a home or business — can call the prosecutor’s office to have graffiti removed from their structures. There is no cost for property owners for the service, Selner said.
“People don’t understand that; they think we’re charging them, but no we will take care of the problem, we will help them and we use our supplies, our manpower,” she said.
The cost of supplies is covered by the program. The prosecutor’s office was awarded grant money, which was just renewed at the beginning of June for another two years, Selner said.
That grant money also covers the cost to have McCann — who is a retired, fourth-generation paint contractor — supervise the diversion program participants.
The graffiti team tackles tags big and small, McCann said. Its next major project is a nearly 100-foot-long wall on Clairmont Avenue that is covered in tags.
“It takes a lot of effort for someone to put this on, and we’re going to wipe it up — it will be white again before long,” McCann said.
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