Cactus Village Community

Graffiti Tipsters Cash in on Rewards

Jul 10, 2003

Elvia D?­az
The Arizona Republic
March 18, 2002 19:20:00
Lured by the chance to make a few bucks, thousands of Valley residents have anonymously tipped off authorities about graffiti vandalism or turned in those committing the crime.
Cash rewards given to graffiti whistle-blowers topped $101,000 from February 1995 to last month, an amount officials consider a milestone for the hotline, which covers Maricopa County.

The hotline is similar to the Silent Witness program because anonymity is guaranteed. If the information helps catch a graffiti criminal or get rid of graffiti, the caller is considered for a reward.

"This money is well spent," said Jo Marie McDonald, vice president of Community Alliance, a non-profit group shelling out the rewards, which range from $50 to $250.

Phoenix resident Betty Bellanger applauds efforts to keep Phoenix and the Valley graffiti-free. A year ago, her backyard fence was covered with graffiti, but with the city's help she quickly sprayed it over.

"City workers are quick and good,'' said Bellanger, 70, who often calls Phoenix to report graffiti in her north central neighborhood. "The hotline program is just marvelous."

Tony Piraino, a Phoenix resident who came up with the hotline idea, said the program was an instant success.

"It took off like a rocket," Piraino said. "Graffiti was getting out of hand. Vandals were coming to Phoenix from everywhere."

The Phoenix Police Department oversees the hotline, which takes calls from residents countywide, said Johnie Meder, one of those who answer the line. Most of the 29,000 calls received thus far have come from Phoenix, she said.

The whistle-blowers' names are kept secret by assigning them a case number, Meder said.

Cash rewards are determined monthly by a volunteer board that evaluates how useful the information was in prosecuting offenders or removing graffiti. To fund the rewards, the Phoenix Community Alliance uses grants and private donations.

In addition to the hotline, Phoenix has a separate telephone number so residents can ask for help in painting over graffiti.

Reach the reporter elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-8948
. . . ☺