CLEARLAKE, Calif. – In response to an increase in graffiti taggings, the Clearlake Police has reinstituted its Graffiti Removal Intervention Program.
Clearlake Police Officer Lauren Vance – along with fellow officers Alan Collier, Michael Carpenter, Mike Ray and Sgt. Martin Snyder – worked with several juvenile probationers on Sunday to clean up numerous sites as part of the program's latest push to clean up Clearlake.
Using paint, brushes and other supplies donated by Four Corners Building Supply and Mendo Mill, the group worked from the morning until about 3 p.m.
Working alongside of them, paint roller in hand, was Clearlake Vice Mayor Joey Luiz.
Vance said they had 12 sites they hoped to work on Sunday – from residences and businesses to churches.
She said there were supposed to be 15 juvenile participants, but only about half a dozen showed up for duty Sunday morning.
A juvenile probation officer was on hand to help supervise the teens.
Vance explained that criminal street gangs use graffiti as a way of claiming territory.
Since graffiti tends to beget more graffiti, Vance said it's important to cover it up as soon as possible.
She said the Clearlake Police Department urges homeowners and business owners to report graffiti that affects their properties to police and, if possible, paint over it quickly.
Vance said police aren't certain why taggings are on the rise, but they're prepared to respond.
“If it's needed we'll continue it,” she said of the graffiti abatement program.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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