To the Wall : Priest Named First Participant in Program to Eradicate Freeway Graffiti

Father Tom Loftus, a Roman Catholic priest with a paintbrush, long ago staked out his turf in the gang graffiti wars along the San Bernardino Freeway.

On Tuesday, the California Department of Transportation made the priest’s graffiti-fighting status official.

Jerry B. Baxter, Caltrans director for Los Angeles and Ventura counties, formally awarded Loftus, a priest at the San Gabriel Mission, state permits in the new “Adopt-A-Wall” program designed to get volunteers to help the agency combat graffiti.

Caltrans officials said the program is the first of its kind in the nation.

Baxter unveiled a blue highway sign that will be erected on the San Bernardino Freeway to declare that the priest’s Youth Outreach Program has undertaken wall maintenance for the nearly five-mile stretch from Alhambra to Rosemead. “If more good people like Father Tom become involved,” Baxter said at a San Gabriel news conference, “I’m sure we can wipe out (graffiti).”

Baxter said it would have cost the agency $2.5 million last year to adequately keep up with graffiti removal, but the agency could spare only $600,000 for the task.

To Loftus, graffiti-busting is more than just a beautification program. It can also help break the cycle of gang rites that can lead to violence, said the 53-year-old priest who since 1975 has painted over graffiti throughout the 4.5-square-mile city of San Gabriel.

“The hope is it will also save life,” he said. “No writing--no challenge. No challenge--no fight. No fight--no murder.”

Caltrans officials estimate about 1,000 “adoptable walls” line portions of the 600 freeway miles in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The walls are selected for easy, side-street access to minimize dangers, according to Caltrans, which provides the paint and safety training.

Recently distributed leaflets announcing the program have elicited a good response, said Joel Fonseca, the Caltrans official in charge of the project. On Tuesday alone, Fonseca said, he was scheduled to meet with people interested in adopting walls in Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley and San Pedro.

Individuals, groups and businesses can qualify for the permits, which are handled in the same way as the Caltrans “Adopt-A-Highway” litter pickup program launched in 1989. Those selected after a screening process will be rewarded with signs on the adopted walls saluting their stewardship.

Caltrans asked that inquiries be directed to (213) 620-4893. The agency also has set up a hot line to take reports of graffiti, (213) 620-3077.

If Adopt-A-Wall succeeds locally, Caltrans officials said, it may be expanded throughout the state.

“It’s a tough battle,” Baxter said. “But I’m not going to give up and Father Tom is not going to give up.”

After the news conference, Loftus proudly showed off the walls he regularly paints over, which are out on the busy freeway where state highway patrol officers once scolded the priest for being too close to traffic.

Shouting above the traffic’s din, Loftus said: “See that walkway over the freeway? I painted it with 33 gallons last week.” All around him were other swatches of his painting on concrete and steel. “It can make a difference,” he said.