CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
Muskegon city officials believe the current spate of graffiti that has cropped up around town is a lousy reflection on the community, and have drawn up a policy for cleaning it up.
City commissioners Monday discussed a proposed graffiti abatement program, and are expected to adopt it tonight.
City Commissioner Larry Spataro raised the topic last month, prompting City Manager Bryon Mazade and his staff to devise a written strategy for dealing with graffiti.
The proposed ordinance up for the commission's consideration tonight declares graffiti a public nuisance, and gives the owner of property on which graffiti appears the option of removing or concealing it, or authorizing the city to do the job at no charge.
The policy treats property owners as victims in such cases, who should not be penalized for something they can't control -- as opposed to junky, overgrown yards.
The war on graffiti is yet another part of the city's war on blight, as Mazade characterized it.
"In the summer months coming upon us and all that it brings -- the cross-lake ferry, Muskegon Summer Celebration, etc. -- it is extremely important that the city looks its best," Mazade told city commissioners.
The commission was largely in agreement, although Mayor Steve Warmington was concerned that a property owner might take action against the city if the graffiti removal left mismatched paint or was otherwise not to the owner's liking.
Commissioner Clara Shepherd said she would volunteer to contact some property owners personally, and felt they would support the city's initiative "because they don't want it on there either."
It is based on one used to combat graffiti in the city of Chicago. Having researched the graffiti problem, Mazade said it is in the city's best interest to get rid of graffiti as quickly as possible -- not just because it looks bad, but because it attracts more of the same.
The city quickly takes care of graffiti on its own buildings, in parks and elsewhere, but the lack of a formal graffiti enforcement or abatement program is likely the reason graffiti has been removed more slowly elsewhere in the city, he said.
"Generally, there have been small amounts of graffiti in any given year and most of it has been taken care of over time, although some of it lingers for a while," Mazade said in a memo to commissioners. "However, in recent months there has been a significant increase in the amount of graffiti in the city and surrounding areas."
The removal effort will cost the city money, and $10,000 will be earmarked for the purpose.
Spataro suggested working with property owners whose insurance would cover graffiti damage as a means of helping to cover some of the city's costs.
The city is joining forces with Volunteer Muskegon for help in the removal effort, which could take the form of painting over the graffiti, using chemicals to remove it, or use of the city's "graffiti blaster," using a solution of water and baking soda. Mazade said the city also would make an appeal for donations of manpower and materials from organizations and individuals to help keep the city's costs down.
Meanwhile, the city's police department is continuing to follow leads in hopes of arresting the graffiti artist or artists. Mazade said it was the city's intent to request prosecution of the culprit or culprits "to the fullest extent possible."
The city's police department also is working with Silent Observer to provide a monetary reward for those who provide information leading to arrests and convictions.
An east Portland church has been painted with red swastikas for the second time in three days, its pastor said Monday.
But rather than frightening members of the congregation, the attacks have convinced them that "we are exactly where we are supposed to be," said Steven Holt, pastor of the International Fellowship Family Church, which started meeting at 4401 N.E. 122nd Ave. in March.
"We're about helping people go from negative lifestyles to positive lifestyles, from sapping community to contributing to the community," Holt said. "Something positive is going to come out of this."
Saturday morning, a church member discovered swastikas painted on three sides of the large beige building -- formerly a craft store -- across the street from Parkrose High School. Church and community members spent several hours covering the red paint Sunday afternoon.
But on Monday morning, a church member reported a new red swastika on the back of the building, along with the words "Hells Angels," "Spokane" and "skinheads."
The paint and style of writing appeared similar to the first incident, Holt said.
Police and neighborhood officials who track graffiti say they've seen a slight rise in hate graffiti in east Portland recently, said Eric King, neighborhood livability services manager with Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement.
"That's the type of graffiti we want to get removed immediately, as soon as it's reported," King said.
The church has been hit many times in the past by gang-related markings in black paint, Holt said. Between Saturday and Monday, the swastikas crossed out some of the black marks, and black marks later crossed out some swastikas.
As a result, "We don't know if it's gang-related between two groups, or is it specifically directed at us?" Holt said.
The church is about 60 percent African American. It is regularly attended by people of seven nationalities, Holt said.
On Monday, after rain started washing away water-based paint used by a city graffiti removal team, church members covered the building again with sturdier primer, Holt said.
In response to the graffiti, the church plans to build relationships in Parkrose. Church members will meet local school and community officials, homeowners and apartment residents and plan a unity rally for the community within the next several months.
The church also will add more exterior lights and cameras and improve security, Holt said.
The case has been assigned to Portland police Detective Paul Dolbey, said Sgt. Cheryl Robinson, a police spokeswoman. Anyone with information about the case can call Dolbey at 503-823-0576.
Catherine Trevison: 503-294-5971; ctrevison@news.oregonian.com