Lancaster sees the writing on the wall and says it’s enough
Launches Graffiti Abatement Volunteer Program
The city of Lancaster has announced the launch of its new Graffiti Abatement Volunteer Program, as well as a new Graffiti Reporting Hotline. Created to directly address the negative impact of graffiti on Lancaster neighborhoods, the Graffiti Abatement Volunteer Program sends a clear message to potential taggers that graffiti of any kind is not tolerated in the city.
Graffiti is often a sign of urban decay, which can generate a sense of instability and fear. The new Graffiti Abatement Volunteer Program will assist in restoring neighborhood appearances while maintaining a safe, secure, and attractive community.
“Graffiti costs the citizens of Lancaster thousands of dollars each and every year,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “Our new Graffiti Abatement Volunteer Program provides residents with the necessary tools and training to remove graffiti, and abate any further tagging in their neighborhoods.”
By volunteering to remove graffiti, responsible citizens and groups can greatly improve the look and feel of their neighborhoods. Prompt removal reduces the chance of graffiti reappearing in a neighborhood, and lets criminals know they are being monitored and their crimes are being documented.
The city also announced that graffiti can now be reported on a new Graffiti Reporting Hotline by calling (661) 723-5977. Callers simply provide the location of the graffiti, and on what structure(s) the graffiti can be found (i.e. wall, sign, building, etc.).
For further information on how you or your group can participate in the Graffiti Abatement Volunteer Program, you may contact Pat Murphy at (661) 723-6183 or pmurphy@cityoflancasterca.org.
Students in kindergarten through sixth grade can participate in the “Fit to Draw T-shirt Contest,” and the deadline to submit an entry is June 3 at 5 p.m.
The Fit to Draw contest is designed to enable children to design a T-shirt for the Lancaster Corporate Challenge event which takes place in the city during the months of April, May and June.
Children should incorporate the theme of sports, physical fitness and teamwork into their designs.
The housing discrimination complaint filed against the city of Lancaster has been formally withdrawn by the California State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (CSCNAACP) with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
In accordance with the withdrawal, HUD has terminated its investigation, administratively closing the complaint.
