Editorial: Graffiti crackdown is making headway

Tuesday, June 29, 1999 | 9:43 a.m.

Graffiti is not just an eyesore. Left in place it can create millions of dollars in property damage. In addition, some believe if graffiti is allowed to flourish it can be a precursor to more crime and with it a deterioration of neighborhoods and businesses.

As the Sun's Adrienne Packer reported Monday, while police believe there are 500 graffiti taggers in Clark County, officials believe that new, coordinated efforts between local governments and law enforcement are beginning to show results. Just last week Metro arrested three men in their 20s who police suspect caused at least $2 million in graffiti damage.

It certainly isn't an easy task, but if stepped-up educational and law enforcement efforts deter even some of these vandals, then it will be well worth it, restoring some dignity to neighborhoods and businesses that have been plagued by graffiti.

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