Young Graffiti Foe Sees Hot Line as Crusade Key : Vandalism: Huntington Beach promises to eradicate within 24 hours any markings reported. The Ocean View High School freshman with the idea wins applause from city government.

At 15, Eric Wersching is not old enough to drive a car. But he already knows how to make city government move.

The Ocean View High School freshman got praise and applause from city government last week for leading a program to fight graffiti.

City officials have agreed that they will eradicate within 24 hours any graffiti reported on a hot line. Signs designed by Eric will soon be placed throughout the city, urging residents to call the designated number. The program is the centerpiece of a city crackdown on graffiti.

City officials said they are awed that the concept came from such a young man.

“If we had more young men like Eric Wersching, we wouldn’t have as many problems in society,” Police Chief Ronald E. Lowenberg said.

“It’s hard to believe he’s just a freshman in high school,” Mayor Jim Silva added. “I really admire what he’s done.”

Eric, a cross-country runner for his high school, seemed embarrassed by the outpouring of praise when he appeared Monday before the City Council. He was there to display the signs.

Eric said he got involved because he found out, the hard way, that the city had no easy way for residents to take action.

“My family lives near Central Park,” he said.

“And last year I started noticing an increase in graffiti. So I called City Hall to report it. And nothing really got done because one person would refer me to another person and then to another person. Eventually, my mom and I just ended up painting over the graffiti ourselves.

“Then I said, what if there are a lot of other people who want to get rid of graffiti, and they can’t? So last June I came and spoke to the City Council meeting to let them know my concern, and I got great response from Mr. (Louis) Sandoval (director of public works) and Chief Lowenberg.

“They urged me to come up with ideas, and for the last few months we’ve had meetings and conferences and brainstormed ideas.”

The hot line sign has a symbol that in effect says “no graffiti painting.” It urges residents to report graffiti on the hot line, (714) 960-8861.

In an unusual touch, the sign even says, “Thank You.”

“I’m not an artist, so my dad drew the spray can for the sign,” said Eric, who has a 17-year-old brother and and 18-year-old sister.

In addition to track and cross-country, Eric is on Ocean View’s soccer team.

Eric said he want to go to college at UC Berkeley, with a major of “either law or politics,” he said with a smile.

Silva said he wants to help Eric attain that college goal.

“When he’s ready to go to college,” Silva said, “I hope Eric will let me know. Because I certainly want to send off a letter of recommendation for him.”