County of Los Angeles T.A.G. Program -- Totally Against Graffiti -- Helps Kids Learn to Keep Neighborhoods Clean.
Business Editors
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 31, 2002
The T.A.G. -- Totally Against Graffiti -- initiative of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Graffiti Abatement Program goes to the root of the graffiti problem in Los Angeles County -- education.
"Graffiti is not a simple problem and there is no simple solution. It is not just writing on the wall. It is, in fact, an indicator of urban decay and crime," said Valerie Hill, Graffiti Abatement Program Manager for Los Angeles County. "The costs for graffiti removal are enormous, and it is not something that should be minimized."
According to Valerie Hill, of the Graffiti Abatement program, the greatest volume of graffiti vandalism has little to do with art and stems from larger and more complex problems in society. Among these are the breakdown or absence of family structure, the lack of value placed upon education, and the inability of the system to convey, promote, and enforce such fundamentals as parental responsibility. It also affects the respect for authority, respect for property, and pride in the community. "Educating elementary school children and youth is a proactive and preventative method of eradicating graffiti," says Hill.
Since 1993, under the leadership and direction of the County Board of Supervisors, The County Department of Public Works implemented a Countywide zero tolerance anti-graffiti effort. The plan is a broad-based, inter-jurisdictional effort to combat serious blight on urban landscape. It includes physical clean up efforts, legislative strategies, law enforcement and judicial intervention, a proactive public information campaign, as well as focused diversion and prevention efforts.
That's why a program like T.A.G. is so very important.
T.A.G. is a powerful program that empowers kids and the community to work together to fight graffiti. Posters and fliers are distributed to over 150 elementary schools to make students aware of awards they can win by NOT participating in graffiti. They are also encouraged to tell their friends to not participate and by reporting graffiti if they see it.
"Stop Graffiti and We All Win" is the most important message of the T.A.G. program. Kids are encouraged to call a 1-800 number to report graffiti. The calls are received by The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works where experienced teams clean up the reported graffiti, in most cases, within 48 hours of notification. The Public Works Graffiti Abatement Program has been extremely successful in rapidly removing graffiti, which slows the rate of increase and aggressively reduces the visibility of graffiti. T.A.G. emphasizes reporting as the most important contribution kids can make to help improve the areas where they live.
