I would like to know what it is that neighbors can do about graffiti. Last week the entire block of Larkspur Drive was hit with the letters STC. These cowards spray painted in the dead of night and didn't fail to miss much. Houses, cars and fences were all sprayed. My vehicle was just one of them. When I called the police, the officer had such a horrible attitude. He did come out to the house and wrote a report but not without comments like ''well, I make an hourly wage so it doesn't matter to me if you want to waste my time with this''. At one point he accused us ''wasting his time, when he could be out chasing real criminals'' . If this is the attitude of the police, what chance do we have of fighting this crime (and I consider them ''real'' criminals). Do we just give in and pack up? This is not the first time that my property has been damaged by graffiti....what do we do? And how do we get the police to even care about it? How do we find out more about this Spook Town Crips gang? I am willing to stand up against them but I am not willing to stand alone.

Graffiti

My house too has been tagged on several occasions. At first, I called the Graffiti removal hotline(602-495-7014),each time, and reported the incident, so that they could come out and paint over it. Unfortunately, it usually took a couple of days. So, I spoke with an individual with Graffiti Busters and had them bring free tools and paint out to my house so that I may immediately cover it up myself if it should happen again. The number to call for tools is 602-495-0323. These numbers are also posted in the September issue of the Westown Newsletter. Unfortunately, this won't help much if your car gets tagged. As for the officer, I understand your anger. This is not an isolated event. Every once in a while an officer with a bad attitude is sent into Westown on a call. I suggest contacting the Cactus precinct with your complaint. I agree on your idea of neighborhood unity. That is why it is so important that people act quickly to get graffiti covered up. If the criminals see that the graffiti won't be on long enough for many to see, they're less likely to repeat it in that area. Also, if individauls report the incident to the Phx. police each time it happens, they may get ''tired'' of hearing it and become a little more proactive of the situation.

Grafitti Busters

Don't stop at contacting the Phx Police and Grafitti Hotline. Get involved in your Neighborhood Association and make a difference. Yes, its true, there are power in numbers. We have already documented cases and are working with the police about this very group of taggers (cowards). Unfortunatly, not all Police Officers know about this crime in Westown. But there are some that do and they are currently working on the case. By notifying us, The Westown Watch Neighborhood Association which you have done, we have more documentation to help fight these cowards. You are not alone and we are glad you have decided to get involved. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday at 7 PM at our meeting and we will let you know along with everyone else what is being done about this very problem and what else needs to be done so we can prosecute these cowards!
Please come up and let me know who you are ''anonymous'' I look forward to meeting you. See you at the meeting!!!!!!!

By Bob Beletz