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Plan for graffiti: seek and destroyOne man with a zero-tolerance policy for graffiti wants it gone before the paint can dry. "I don't like what it stands for," said Craig Ward, 58. "It's destructive and ugly." In short, "tagging" is the enemy, said Ward, who works as a private moneylender and author when not organizing his missions to seek and destroy graffiti. Ward says local paint distributors have been generous in their donations to his cause. "Everybody thinks it's a good idea," Ward says. "Heck, I've got 20 gallons of paint sitting in my driveway and more donations coming." Roy Moses of The Best Painting and Construction Co. in Eagle Point is one of several paint companies donating supplies to stock Ward's efforts. Moses donated the 20 gallons sitting in Ward's driveway. "And I've got another 50 gallons to go," he said. Moses has seen a proliferation of graffiti in Medford and White City, and says Ward's plan is "fantastic." But trying to coordinate an official graffiti-elimination squad with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department or the Medford Police Department has been frustrating, Ward says. "Rules, regulations and guidelines keep getting in the way," he says. Sheriff Mike Winters hasn't spoken with Ward directly, but had heard of Ward's efforts to do something about a growing problem, he said. Unfortunately, his department doesn't have staffing for an anti-graffiti squad to work with Ward, Winters said. But as long as Ward gets permission from the owners of tagged property before he starts his eradication process, Ward may be able to provide a needed service independent from law enforcement, Winters said. "If someone is willing to provide that service, within the legal limits and bounds, I'd say it's probably a good thing to do," said Winters. Lt. Tim George of the Medford Police Department also applauds Ward's efforts. "We're all working to get rid of graffiti," said George. Classified as criminal mischief, graffiti comes and goes in spurts, and is not necessarily affiliated with gang activity, George said. "Generally one or two individuals will be good for a variety of the graffiti," said George. "They want to drive by and admire it. And they want other people to admire it, too. They think they're creating something artistic, but they're defacing public or private property." Ward says Medford code enforcement officer Joe Jimenez has been very helpful identifying graffiti locations and instructing Ward on how to take photos of the graffiti before he eradicates it. "So they can have the photos on file when they eventually catch these guys and throw the book at them," said Ward. Several municipalities have ordinances that require affected owners to remove graffiti at their own expense and within strict timelines. Ward says the process can be both physically exhausting and expensive for elderly victims. "In city abatement programs, it's up to the landowner to get rid of it," said Ward. "What about senior citizens who don't have a single nickle to spend on this?" Ward is hoping word will get out on his work and garner him a like-minded assistant or two to help blot out the blight. "Everyone needs to know about this," said Ward. "Maybe I could get spotters, a few people from each town to let me know as soon as it's happened." Eventually, towns could have their own graffiti-busting teams, he said. Once taggers realize their work is only going to be up for a few hours or a day, they might rethink their illegal activity, says Ward. "Maybe they'll give up and go away," said Ward. Ward can be reached at 324-2102 or tag_busters@yahoo.com. |
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Craig Ward paints over graffiti in west Medford. Ward is on a mission to cover over graffiti as quickly as it goes up, hoping it will be a deterrent. (Mail Tribune / Jim Craven)
