Taggers and gang members might like graffiti but the majority of
residents don’t want to see it in their town, which is why the
Sebastopol Police Department is seeking volunteers to help with
removing it.
The recent death of Gary Graham, an original volunteer
instrumental in keeping the city clean of graffiti, has left a hole
in coverage.
Graham’s primary partner in the effort, Ted, who wished not to
use his last name, could use some help, Police Chief Jeff Weaver
said.
“Back in the early ’80s, before we even had gang problems, there
was a group of people who wanted to do their best to get rid of
graffiti,” Weaver said. “As the gangs became a problem here in
Sebastopol in the early ’90s the graffiti really exploded, so there
was even more need for this.”
The amount of graffiti in the area “ebbs and flows,” just like
other crimes, the police chief said. But it is constant, he said,
noting, one active person can do a lot of damage in a short period
of time.
“Last summer there was a gang that was starting to form (in
Sebastopol) again, however, five of the gang’s primary leaders were
arrested in September. … And that basically gutted the gang’s
leadership, and they just haven’t come together since that time,”
Weaver said.
But gang members are not the only people who communicate via
graffiti. In fact, the majority of the doodles defacing property in
Sebastopol are the John Hancocks of tagging crews, not gang
members, according to Weaver.
Gang graffiti is different than tagging. Gang graffiti is
primarily a means to mark territory and to communicate messages to
other gang members, usually threats, he said.
Whereas tagging crews are driven by what they believe is
“artistic expression,” there are some taggers who use graffiti as
an “anarchist style of flaunting the law,” Weaver said.
Volunteers are not only needed to remove the graffiti, but to
locate it. Once located, the volunteers either chemically remove
it, or paint over it.
Asked why he volunteers his time, Ted said: “Same reason Gary
did.
“I don’t want Sebastopol to be a ghetto,” he said. “I take pride
in our town, and I don’t want to see it diminished by a bunch of
punks.”
Volunteering aside, “citizens need to get involved” and call the
police when they see graffiti, or someone defacing property, Ted
said.
Funding to help pay for expenses and supplies associated with
graffiti removal is needed.
“It truly is a way that people can keep Sebastopol a very clean
and welcoming place, in a very real sense,” Weaver said.
To donate, contact Teresa Ramondo, executive director of the
Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce at 823-3032. Volunteers are also
needed to do the work.
Those interested are also encouraged to attend an informational
meeting at 7 p.m., Aug. 10, at the Sebastopol Police Department,
6850 Laguna Parkway.
There is no commitment, no obligation, Weaver said, noting, Ted
will also be available to talk to people about the issue at the
police department’s open house, slated for Aug. 3.
