Sebastopol Volunteers Needed for Graffiti Removal

Published with permission by Sonoma West Times, GoLocal Member since 2009

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.