WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Anti-graffiti plan announced (New Haven-WTNH) _ The city of New Haven is looking to the public to help wipe out graffiti. A new program announced Monday is part of Mayor John DeStefano's "Elm City Clean and Green" initiative. But not all taxpayers are impressed with the city's efforts. News Channel 8's Jocelyn Sigue reports. For Lou Laudano, graffiti removal on New Haven city property is a full time job. Lou Laudano: "You know they waste their time putting it on and we'll take it right off." Now the city hopes to see graffiti wiped out even faster - it's goal - 48 hours after the writing is on the wall. The mayor's anti-graffiti initiative asks taxpayers to report fresh paint. Bob Levine, City of New Haven: "The quicker you remove the graffiti the less chance that there's going to be more it also lets citizens know that use our parks and public spaces that we're focused on that as something that's important." Officials say too many of us have accepted graffiti as just a part of city life. Now it's asking private property owners to pay for graffiti removal, and it's starting the push in highly visible areas like Whalley Avenue. Bea Dozier-Taylor didn't mind the graffiti on the wall of her bookstore and art gallery, but she knew the city was trying to clean things up. Bea Dozier-Taylor, "A Walk in Truth Books": "So I think I have to be a part of that positive message that it is a good thing to remove the graffiti but graffiti that is removed is also very easy to put back up again." Dozier-Taylor wishes the city and the media would pay more attention to the problems behind the graffiti. Dozier-Taylor: "They're not making real use of real money to create cultural centers activities recreation based centers so that kids can have something real some very real alternatives to writing their name on the side of a wall." If you spot graffiti in New Haven and would like it removed you can call 946.7700. If the graffiti is on private property, the city is linking owners with a contracted graffiti remover at a discounted price. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Anti-graffiti plan announced
(New Haven-WTNH) _ The city of New Haven is looking to the public to help wipe out graffiti. A new program announced Monday is part of Mayor John DeStefano's "Elm City Clean and Green" initiative. But not all taxpayers are impressed with the city's efforts.
News Channel 8's Jocelyn Sigue reports.

For Lou Laudano, graffiti removal on New Haven city property is a full time job.

Lou Laudano: "You know they waste their time putting it on and we'll take it right off."

Now the city hopes to see graffiti wiped out even faster - it's goal - 48 hours after the writing is on the wall. The mayor's anti-graffiti initiative asks taxpayers to report fresh paint.

Bob Levine, City of New Haven: "The quicker you remove the graffiti the less chance that there's going to be more it also lets citizens know that use our parks and public spaces that we're focused on that as something that's important."

Officials say too many of us have accepted graffiti as just a part of city life. Now it's asking private property owners to pay for graffiti removal, and it's starting the push in highly visible areas like Whalley Avenue.

Bea Dozier-Taylor didn't mind the graffiti on the wall of her bookstore and art gallery, but she knew the city was trying to clean things up.

Bea Dozier-Taylor, "A Walk in Truth Books": "So I think I have to be a part of that positive message that it is a good thing to remove the graffiti but graffiti that is removed is also very easy to put back up again."

Dozier-Taylor wishes the city and the media would pay more attention to the problems behind the graffiti.

Dozier-Taylor: "They're not making real use of real money to create cultural centers activities recreation based centers so that kids can have something real some very real alternatives to writing their name on the side of a wall."

If you spot graffiti in New Haven and would like it removed you can call 946.7700. If the graffiti is on private property, the city is linking owners with a contracted graffiti remover at a discounted price.

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.