,

City wants to drastically cut graffiti removal budgets

We choose not to glorify gang graffiti, so here's the kind of artwork we prefer. Flickr photo via KellyLA.

Once upon a time, there was little to no city-funded programs to help clean up graffiti in Echo Park. Residents and activists involved in the Echo Park Improvement Association (EPIA) would drive around with paint in the trunk of their cars to paint over any new graffiti on the spot. Other residents could join a $10 per month program that would help Central City Action Committee (CCAC) pay for graffiti removal on the weekends.

It’s been a while since those days, but a recent proposal from the Mayor’s office to cut funding to graffiti abatement program has a few people worried. How will crime, safety, and the quality of life be affected if the streets are covered in graffiti?

According to an LA Times article, the budget cut would save the city $1.5 million per year (out of a total of $7 million spent on eradicating graffiti city-wide). For Echo Park and the CCAC (which is one of 14 contractors in the city with the same directive), the cut would actually reduce our anti-graffiti forces by 50%. Right now the non-profit has six teams out there for around 20 Los Angeles neighborhoods from Highland Park to Venice. A 50% reduction would be drastic.

Opposition to the budget cut isn’t without reason – everyone is fully aware of the budget issues on our communities and our city. It’s about prioritizing, as we all know, and for most of us our safety and the overall quality of life is affected by graffiti. When those gang names are crossed out and written over by a competing group, it’s concerning. And if it stays up, the crime could worsen. It’s not a risk we’re willing to take.

“What happens once the graffiti starts going up,” said CCAC director MaryAnne Hayashi, “you would never catch up…. I really think it’s a quality of life issue. People really deserve to have a clean neighborhood.”

The good news is, the everyone seems to be rallying against the graffiti budget cuts, even Eric Garcetti of CD 13. Spokesperson Yusef Robb told us, to our relief, that Garcetti’s office was fighting the graffiti cutbacks. “When it comes to graffiti,” he said, “the return that we get in terms of quality of life as well as financially makes it a worthy investment.

And what an investment – CCAC removed 3.5 million square feet of graffiti in CD1 and one million from CD13.

Over the past five or six years, Garcetti’s anti-graffiti program UNTAG (Uniting Neighborhoods to Abolish Graffiti) has seen a 70% decrease in graffiti district-wide. The program recruits block captains to oversee and organize neighborhoods to report graffiti for city crews to then clean up. If the city cuts the anti-graffiti budget, the simple fact is there will be less money for painting over graffiti and revitalizing neighborhoods.

The best part about non-profits like the CCAC is that they don’t just paint a white block over the graffiti, they make it look good and maintain the beauty of the neighborhood. They also follow certain safety procedures for when they might feel threatened by removing gang graffiti.

While the programs may indeed see some cuts, we’re hoping far less that what’s being proposed. And hopefully we won’t have to drive around with paint in the trunk of the car.

You can help by writing to your Council District representative along with making sure graffiti is reported as soon as you see it. If you see graffiti, call 311, visit the anti-graffiti website at http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org, or use a 311 ap if you have an iPhone or Android phone.

If you’re available during the day to help support the graffiti abatement work, there’s a City Council meeting on the subject on Wednesday, January 12 at 10:00 am.

/256 Comments/by
256 replies
« Older CommentsNewer Comments »
  1. Bernie says:

    I’m creating a new blog site about literature (what I have actually checked out, what I’m reading), however I’m having trouble thinking of a title. I like the idea of something concerning an obsession with literary works yet I believe bookophilia is on the ordinary side. What do you consider Litophilia? Is it also similar to “lithophilia” Which indicates the love of rocks? Any concepts? Many thanks!.

  3. fashion says:

    Hi my loved one! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and include almost all vital infos. I¡¦d like to see extra posts like this .

  4. fit women says:

    Wow! This could be one particular of the most helpful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Great. I’m also an expert in this topic so I can understand your hard work.

  5. health says:

    I have been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  8. house to home says:

    you’re really a good webmaster. The site loading pace is amazing. It sort of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick. In addition, The contents are masterwork. you have done a magnificent activity on this topic!

  10. android games says:

    I am only commenting to let you understand what a nice experience my child experienced reading through yuor web blog. She figured out lots of details, not to mention what it’s like to possess a great giving mindset to get many more quite simply fully grasp several problematic subject matter. You really exceeded our desires. Many thanks for distributing such powerful, dependable, explanatory not to mention cool guidance on the topic to Evelyn.

  13. John Deere Service Manuals says:

    I’m impressed, I have to admit. Truly rarely should i encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve got hit the nail to the head. Your thought is outstanding; ab muscles a thing that too little people are speaking intelligently about. We are very happy that I came across this at my try to find some thing about it.

  14. pet a dog says:

    I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thank you, I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your site?

  16. Tessa says:

    I need to recognize exactly how to see my blog posts or discuss other peoples blog sites. Exists anywhere I could go to obtain a listing of all my messages?. Any type of aid valued.

  17. Evita says:

    I have 3 blogs on tumblr under the same email address. Exactly how do I delete one of those blog sites without removing the various other 2?. Preferably, I ‘d like someone to answer whom has experienced this trouble prior to and addressed it without erasing their other blog sites. Thanks!.

  18. John Deere Repair Manuals says:

    Thanks for your entire work on this blog. My mom really likes setting aside time for investigation and it is simple to grasp why. We notice all of the compelling mode you deliver effective suggestions through your web site and in addition cause response from some others about this topic and our own girl is really understanding a lot. Enjoy the rest of the year. You have been performing a first class job.

  21. home remodel says:

    What i do not understood is in fact how you are no longer actually much more neatly-appreciated than you might be now. You’re very intelligent. You know therefore significantly with regards to this topic, made me in my opinion consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be fascinated unless it¡¦s one thing to do with Girl gaga! Your personal stuffs outstanding. At all times care for it up!

  22. Kera says:

    I require to gain a little additional money and also I am an extremely opinionated person so I seem like creating blog sites would certainly be a great beginning to making some additional cash money. I am a full time university student as well as I also have a $20 hr a week task however I am still having troubles making ends fulfill. Thanks for any aid!.

  30. Business & Finance says:

    Hey there, You have done an excellent job. I will definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this web site.

  34. Jose says:

    Simply want to share something. I require to send my blog sites to blog websites with a lot of people checking out blogs. That’s what I require many.

  37. Leanora says:

    I would truly love to make a blog site yet. I’m uncertain what kind of blogs obtain the most web traffic? What type of blogs do you browse? I primarily surf photo blog sites and fashion blog sites. Just obtaining a survey right here many thanks!.

  39. Wilfredo says:

    On my close friend’s blog sites they have added me on their blog rolls, but my own always rests at the bottom of the listing as well as does not list when I upload like it does for others. Is this a setup that I need to alter or is this a selection that they have made?.

  40. Preston Lieberman says:

    This is really exciting, You’re an awfully skilled article writer. I have signed up with your feed additionally look forward to enjoying your personal fabulous write-ups. What’s more, We’ve shared your websites throughout our myspace.

  41. my response says:

    I simply want to say I am just beginner to blogging and site-building and seriously liked your blog. Most likely I’m going to bookmark your blog post . You really have great articles and reviews. Thank you for revealing your blog.

  42. browse around this site says:

    I simply want to mention I’m newbie to blogging and site-building and honestly enjoyed your web site. Most likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You actually come with amazing articles and reviews. Thanks for sharing with us your web-site.

  45. quest bars cheap says:

    hello!,I love your writing very a lot! share we keep in touch
    extra about your post on AOL? I require an expert on this space to unravel my
    problem. Maybe that is you! Taking a look ahead to look you.

  48. garden tips says:

    Thanks , I’ve recently been looking for information approximately this subject for a while and yours is the best I’ve found out till now. However, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you positive concerning the supply?

  49. vacation packages says:

    You can definitely see your enthusiasm within the work you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.

« Older CommentsNewer Comments »

Comments are closed.