Yakima Finding Ways to Fight Graffiti

In an attempt to get a handle on the ever growing problem of graffiti the City of Yakima will
soon create a hotline and call on volunteers to help wipe out the problem.  City
Manager Tony O'Rourke says the hotline will be created so people can report the
graffiti vandalism. The city will also ask people to let the city know about graffiti through it's website as
well. Tony O'Rourke says the community cleanups that happen on a annual basis need to
be more frequent and more people need to be involved in the work to help pump up
community pride. O'Rourke says he wants to work with home and business owners to
remove the graffiti not penalize them for being victims of vandalism. O'Rourke wants
the city to amend the current graffiti ordinance that allows the city to fine
home and business owners who don't remove graffiti on a timely basis. The
hotline is expected to be available at the end of the month.