Yakima County continues to battle the problem of graffiti — with the help of some of the offenders that have caused the problem.

Yakima County Court Consultant Harold Delia says the county decided  three years ago to open 10 juvenile hall beds specifically for graffiti vandals. But they averaged one person a day and it was not cost effective.

So we closed the pod down but told police if they arrest a juvenile for graffiti they will automatically be put in detention.

Those caught for the first time are charged with a misdemeanor and most cases are diverted to a citizen board that orders the juveniles to help paint out graffiti in the community.

Juveniles being held in detention are doing just that during the Graffiti Be Gone campaign for the next two weeks. They will be part of the effort to clean up graffiti, some of which the juveniles may have painted themselves.

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