The City’s Graffiti Task Force continues to conduct a number of outreach efforts to help wipe out graffiti and maintain the beautiful aesthetics of Santa Clarita. In the months of March and April, the Task Force received more than 855 calls and e-notify requests from community members reporting graffiti or gang-related tagging activity in the City.

The Sheriff’s Department arrested 33 taggers during March and April. Two prolific taggers were arrested for over $30,000 in damages to City property and another significant arrest was made for taggers responsible for over $130,000 in damages to City and Saugus High School property.

“The Task Force is committed to timely graffiti eradication throughout the City,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “This sends the message to local youth and taggers that vandalism will not be tolerated,” she added.

Graffiti Task Force members continue to educate teens about the consequences of graffiti. In March and April the Task Force conducted outreach presentations at Rio Norte and La Mesa Junior High Schools, reaching 1,250 students. In the summer months, Graffiti Task Force members will make presentations to Newhall Community Center and Boys and Girls Club teens about the consequences of graffiti, and how to keep their neighborhood clean.

The City’s Paseo Patrol, a program implemented by the City last year, is made up of volunteers that walk the paseos and remove graffiti from signs, light poles and railings with supplies provided by the City. These volunteers keep in constant communication with City staff and provide updates on hotspot areas. There are currently four volunteers and new volunteers will be recruited throughout the summer.

For more information on the City’s Graffiti Removal Task Force or to volunteer for the “Paseo Patrol”, contact Nicolas Marinelli, the City’s Graffiti Removal Coordinator, at (661) 250-3735 or visit santa-clarita.com.