Growing graffiti problem costs Montana taxpayers
Thursday, March 08 2007 @ 11:39 AM MST
Contributed by: Admin
Views: 115
by Mark Hebert

Fresh graffiti recently showed up on several structures at the Petty Creek fishing access off of I-90 in Alberton, causing an eyesore for fishermen and tourists as well as taking money out of their pockets, according to Mineral County Game Warden Mike Fegely.



“Our maintenance guys went to go and do some springtime maintenance and found all this graffiti,” he said. “We’re not positive who did it, but we have some leads and what we are looking for is someone to call the tip line and let us know who did it.”

Anyone with information on the vandalism is encouraged to call 1-800-TIP-MONT to help identify the culprits. Information leading to conviction could mean a monetary award.

Fegely said that the graffiti is at the Petty Creek fishing access on various structures and tables near the bathroom. Fegely also said that vandalism at Petty Creek has become common over the years and that it is a waste of time and money.

“The big thing is that our maintenance guys already have a lot to keep up with and this just puts them farther behind,” said Fegely. “It costs the state much more and basically it costs the fishermen because it comes out of their licensing dollars. It’s money which could be spent on a lot better things.”

Fegely said that he wasn’t sure how much the graffiti removal would cost, though it will involve a crew to get in there for repainting, stripping, and refinishing the aggregate concrete wall of some structures.

There are only two maintenance workers in Region II – from Deer Lodge all the way to Saltese – responsible for cleaning and maintaining the accesses dotting I-90 -- Fegely adding that time spent cleaning “juvenile graffiti” is a waste of time, but needs to be done nevertheless.

“It’s going to be a real bear and it’s going to take some time,” he said. “It’s becoming a constant problem across the state.”