Beware graffiti artists: the busters are in town. Responding to a need expressed by the community at the Ka Leo O Kaua’i meetings, representatives of the office of the mayor, along with community volunteers, have started a graffiti-busters program to
Beware graffiti artists: the busters are in town.
Responding to a need expressed by the community at the Ka Leo O Kaua’i meetings, representatives of the office of the mayor, along with community volunteers, have started a graffiti-busters program to keep county facilities clean.
“Many communities expressed a concern about the state of public facilities, along with their willingness to help,” said Cyndi Mei Ozaki, county spokeswoman.
At the very first Ka Leo O Kaua’i meeting, cleaning up the parks of graffiti was expressed by Curtis Tom, and other community members reinforced it, said Tim Bynum, the contact person and “dispatcher” for the busters.
“Mayor Bryan Baptiste along with the community response team organized graffiti busters, in which a network of volunteers have been established to respond to and paint over graffiti once it is reported.”
“The idea behind graffiti-busters is quick response,” said Ozaki. “Once graffiti is reported, volunteers will be dispatched to clean it up.”
Anyone who sees graffiti on a county facility is urged to call Bynum at 241-6398. When notified, the team of volunteers, carrying cleaning solution, scrub brushes, paint brushes and paint supplied by the county (and in the county’s colors), will respond, said Ozaki.
Nearly 20 volunteers, one or two from each community, have already signed up, and kits are being dispatched, Bynum said. But there are “some pukas” in coverage, and “we always celebrate all the good energy we get.”
Anyone who would like to help can call Bynum.
Ozaki said she expects all new graffiti will be cleaned within two to three days of notification.
Removal and painting over of graffiti has been in progress, and last Saturday county officials declared their public facilities “graffiti free.”
“I love seeing our public places nice and clean. It helps build respect and pride,” Sophronia Diego-Josselin, a graffiti buster, said. “We all have to get involved. Volunteering is great. Seeing that the community is involved, people will start caring more.”
“To me, public places are a reflection of the community,” Bynum said. “Communities are taking hold of their parks and being partners with government.”
Bynum added that he believes that, with the quick response of the community, scrawlers will get tired of seeing their work painted over in a matter of days.
“County facilities belong to us,” said Bynum, and “we’re all paying for” the clean-up.
Staff Writer Tom Finnegan may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or mailto:tfinnegan@pulitzer.net.
