County draws the line against graffiti

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works wants to reduce summertime graffiti vandalism. With school out and the days longer, graffiti vandalism usually becomes more active.

The department offers graffiti removal services to unincorporated areas throughout Los Angeles County. Once a graffiti removal request is submitted, the department tries to meet a 48-hour turnaround for street graffiti removal and a 72-hour turnaround for flood channel graffiti removal.

Last year, the department received nearly 40,000 reports for graffiti removal throughout the county.

In the event that a graffiti removal request is not the responsibility of the public works department, citizens will be directed to the appropriate agency to report the request.

Other agencies that deal with graffiti removal are Parks and Recreation, Caltrans, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Metrolink, United States Post Office, Southern California Edison or one of the 88 cities within Los Angeles County.

Graffiti removal is a constant problem throughout particular areas in the county, especially during the summer months. Efforts are being made to deter youngsters from contributing to the graffiti problem.

Totally Against Graffiti is an initiative of the public works department's Graffiti Abatement Program and is sponsored by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The objective of the program is to educate students and their parents of the cost and consequences of graffiti, increasing apprehension of offenders and reducing the visibility of graffiti in neighborhoods.

Prevention and removal of graffiti addresses urban blight and enhances the quality and attractiveness of neighborhoods for residents and businesses.

To report graffiti in unincorporated areas, call the Graffiti Hotline at (800) 675-4357, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Residents may also go online to www.dpw.lacounty.gov and click on the "stop graffiti" link under featured items on the right side of the home page. When graffiti is reported online, citizens can upload photos and check the progress of their request.

For more information about TAG, go to www.4tagla.com/ best.htm.