Hightech weapon in graffiti war
City officials tout success of global tracking system
By Araceli Esparza Staff Writer


PICO RIVERA - Deputies have arrested 25 people for tagging since Pico Rivera implemented a computer-assisted program that uses global positioning system technology to track graffiti writers.

The Graffiti Tracker system has worked so well, city spokesman Bob Spencer said, that "the drop in graffiti is noticeable around town."

"We're miles ahead of other departments. We're working it around the clock," he added.

But some are not convinced.

"Graffiti is to the max," said Von Stroff, who added that the rear of the Extra Space Storage facility he manages on Slauson Avenue has been constantly peppered by taggers.

"It just keeps coming and coming," he said.

Stroff said he has called the city to clean it up, but it sometimes takes weeks before an abatement crew shows up.

Still, city and sheriff's officials said Graffiti Tracker, locally in use since last September, is making a noticeable dent in the problem.

Pico Rivera spent $130,000 this year to pay for deputies' time monitoring the system. The city pays $18,000 a year for the system itself. Coupled with residents' tips on where graffiti is occurring, officials say the investment is paying off.

"It's a complete team effort," said Steve Gutierrez, the city's public safety manager. "We're working with people that call in the complaints, and it takes working together to get these results."
Graffiti abatement is a huge expense for Pico Rivera, which spends about $400,000 a year cleaning it up, Gutierrez said.

The Graffiti Tracker software allows deputies to photograph graffiti, map it with Global Positioning System technology and file it into a massive database. With the information stored, officials are later able to trace it to a specific tagger.

And arrests can discourage more tagging, Spencer said.

"Taggers now know that here in Pico Rivera they run a significant risk of being apprehended and charged and convicted," he said. "The word is out among the tagging community that you will get caught in Pico Rivera."

Taggers convicted of felony vandalism can get up to five years in prison, plus pay court-ordered restitution, if property damage exceeds $400.

"It really doesn't take much to go over $400," said sheriff's Sgt. Samuel Arellano.