April 26, 2003

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- A group of parolees is working with Knoxville police to help make the city more attractive.

The group worked Saturday on covering up graffiti on buildings in the city.

The most common places for graffiti in knoxville are in downtown, the Old City, bridges and near railroad tracks.

Lt. Greg Hoskins with the Knoxville Police Department says they are noticing a recurring pattern at some of the locations.

"There have been several names that tend to recur in different locations," Hoskins says. "Obviously you would think that would be the same offender that does every one of those."

Graffiti is illegal and KPD hopes to discourage further acts of this crime by covering it up. Getting caught could result in being arrested and charged with vandalism.