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ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) -- A Washington County sheriff's office task force working to eliminate graffiti says the crime appears to be on the decline.
The Spectrum of St. George reports task force officials say the county receives between 30 and 60 graffiti-related calls monthly and currently has about 100 unsolved cases. The prevalence of graffiti has grown significantly in the St. George-area over the past 10 years, although the trend appears to be on a downswing.
"It's hard to investigate because they leave no evidence," Detective Aaron Bergquist said.
Every community I've gone to that has graffiti, there's a sense of an 'I don't care' attitude. You can't let people tag public property.
–Mayor Dan McArthur
According to Bergquist, there are two kinds of graffiti -- gang graffiti and tagging. Gang graffiti is typically small and done to mark a group's territory. Tagging is usually larger, more detailed artwork.
"They (taggers) do it for the thrill, a high they can get," said Detective Situli Tafili with the Washington County Gang Task Force. "It's (also) a way to show their art."
Task force officers say they're partnering with teachers and school resource officers to watch for drawings on student notebooks to help identify possible taggers.
"They (taggers) will have several sketchbooks of their tags," Bergquist said.
Those caught tagging or doing graffiti can face criminal charges and fines, he said.
In St. George, city policies require crews to clean up graffiti within 24 to 48 hours.
"It can be as small as an inch, we have to go clean it up," said city parks division secretary Susan Oakes. "It can take an hour to all day. It just depends on how much it is."
Mayor Dan McArthur said graffiti diminishes the beauty of the city and won't be tolerated.
"Every community I've gone to that has graffiti, there's a sense of an 'I don't care' attitude," he said. "You can't let people tag public property."
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(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
