Take A Stand Against Vandalism

Oct 3, 2006 05:48 AM PDT

Reported by Ryan Wolf

In the graffiti world nothing is off-limits. Walls, trees, signs, playground equipment-- even the sidewalks-- anything an apparent canvas for spreading spray-painted gospel.

"It devalues our property and makes it look bad for us also," explains Dale Zavala who lives near graffiti.

Taggers call it art. Harlingen Proud volunteers call it "garbage!"

Garbage in the form of permanent markings. Initials, gang signs even hand-over-eyes profanity.

It's popping up in record numbers across the city, especially at CB Wood Park. Jaime Lopez is Park Superintendent.

"This is something that we deal with on a daily basis."

That's why Harlingen Proud is trying to stay a stroke ahead of the destruction, wasted resources, and financial burden, the public puke puts on the city.

"It gives the impression that nobody cares for the city," says Adam Trevino, Vice President of Harlingen Proud and Chairperson of its Graffiti Task Force.

Trevino does more than just try to clean up the mess, he works in tandem with the police department in a unique way. Think of him as a graffiti scene investigator who tries to analyze, pinpoint and crack the codes of these street thugs.

"What we've been doing is analysis of what's been popping up through town and we've been tracking it pinpointing it and putting it in a GPS Tracking System."

The intelligence assists officers with graffiti trends, marking identification and night time surveillance.

But Trevino's full scale war doesn't end there. He even infiltrates the classrooms.

Programs like "Graffiti Hurts," he says, tries to discourage teens from contributing to a 7-billion dollar nationwide annual problem.

"We're trying to bring back to Harlingen what was lost... and that's the beautiful city that it once was."

Homeowners say it's a success they're reading between the lines.

"Keep up the good work... that's the bottom line," says Zavala.


Trevino says most graffiti is not gang-related, rather influenced by the Hip-Hop culture. He says for teens, tagging is their way of becoming famous-- or in the eyes of public "infamous."

Take a stand in your neighborhood by contacting police when you spot the criminal activity.