Cost of Cleaning Up Graffiti Increases

A Lancaster city official reported that the cost of cleaning up graffiti has escalated significantly, as has the number of graffiti complaints.

Public Works Department Director Jeff Long told the Lancaster City Council that from July 1, 1992, to Dec. 31, 1992, the city spent $71,403 on sand, paint and labor to clean up graffiti-vandalized property.

During the 1992 fiscal year, from July 1, 1991, to June 30, 1992, the graffiti cleanup cost the city $85,759.

Last year, the city received 628 graffiti complaints, an average of 52 a month, Long said. In January alone, the city recorded 112 complaints.

“It’s a significant increase in one year,” Long said.

Although Long said some of the phone calls may be duplicate complaints about the same vandalized property, cleanup costs indicate that the problem has escalated.

City Councilman George Runner suggested that the city keep an eye on Palmdale to determine the effectiveness of that community’s recently approved law requiring store owners to keep aerosol spray-paint cans in locked display cases to prevent theft.

Meanwhile, a private two-hour discussion with officials from seven agencies was held Thursday to identify possible solutions to the increasing problem of graffiti in the Antelope Valley.

At a public forum following the private discussion, Capt. Tony Welch of the Antelope Valley Sheriff’s Station asked for the community’s help in combatting the “tagging” problem.

Tougher punishments, including $5,000 fines, encouraging peer pressure and befriending taggers were among the suggestions offered by a dozen residents at the forum.

Palmdale City Administrator Bob Toone said a report is expected to be completed and given to the Lancaster and Palmdale city councils within 30 to 60 days.