GARDEN GROVE : City, Cable Firm Join in War on Graffiti

City Council members have reached an agreement with Paragon Cable TV on a joint project that officials hope will raise more than $5,000 to be used in the war against graffiti.

Under terms of the agreement, Paragon will be allowed to solicit new cable TV customers in water bills that the city mails to about 33,000 homes in March and April.

For the graffiti cleanup effort, the city will receive $7.50 for each new customer that Paragon signs up in response to the inserts. The city also will get $5 for each customer that upgrades current cable TV services.

Officials plan to use the money to buy paint, rollers, Polaroid cameras and vests for volunteer workers in the city’s Project GO (Graffiti Off) program.

Officials plan for volunteers to photograph the graffiti and turn over evidence to police for possible prosecution. Orange vests will be provided so that volunteers won’t be mistaken for vandals and incur the wrath of residents.

“A volunteer was painting over graffiti some time ago and a neighbor tackled him, thinking that he was putting on the graffiti,” Public Services Director Richard Conrad said.

Mayor Frank Kessler said that “an epidemic” of graffiti has hit sections of the city in the past month, mainly because of “tagging wars” between rival youth groups.

“Anything we can do--even if it just appears to help--is important, because we all feel so overwhelmed,” Councilman Mark Leyes said.

Meanwhile, officials announced that citywide graffiti paint-outs are scheduled for Saturday and Jan. 30. People interested in volunteering can call Peggy Snyder at City Hall at (714) 741-5381.