Program Enlists Residents in City’s Anti-Graffiti Efforts

Residents can help remove graffiti by buying flowers, having lunch or otherwise patronizing local businesses under a new program started by two city groups that battle vandalism.

Beginning next year, residents can buy “graffiti-buster bucks” from the city. They can be used as cash at participating firms, with program proceeds used for graffiti abatement and drug awareness education.

“Oftentimes our supplies are limited and it’s expensive to buy paints and rollers,” said Cecilia Burda, chairwoman of Santa Clarita’s Anti-Gang Task Force.

The task force and the Pride Committee, whose volunteers remove most graffiti in the city, are behind the program. It was first suggested by Jane Raleigh, a resident who has participated in the task force for about eight months.

“We were thinking how citizens can get involved as well as shop owners,” Raleigh said. “It just makes the whole community able to participate.”

The city has contacted 200 businesses by mail about the program, according to Kevin Tonoian, the city administrative analyst who coordinates anti-graffiti efforts. Twenty-five merchants have indicated they will participate, and organizers hope another 25 will join by the time buster bucks are put into circulation.

“We got a lot of businesses that want to participate,” Tonoian said. “This program offers an opportunity for businesses to support the Anti-Gang Task Force and Pride Committee efforts, while bringing new customers into their stores.”

Supporters hope to raise $28,000--matching the amount Santa Clarita has already set aside to remove graffiti.

More information is available by calling (805) 294-2522.