Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005 | 1:13 a.m.
RENO, Nev. - Officials say a major wave of graffiti tagging has hit the Reno area this winter, and they're considering what to do next to stop the problem.
Since Dec. 1, Reno crews have spent about $15,000 to clean up graffiti, while their Sparks counterparts have spent $21,000.
A Jan. 21 tagging incident at a Washoe County park just north of Reno cost about $10,000 to clean up. Taggers also have hit other county parks.
"I can honestly say in 23 years in the department, it's probably the worst tagging I've seen," said Greg Finkler, county parks operations manager.
Reno police Sgt. Rick Bjelke said the problem has worsened since the last local uproar over graffiti in 2002. That year, more than 300 business owners, residents and taggers attended a graffiti summit.
A number of reforms unfolded during the next two years, including stiffer fines and penalties.
In 2003, the Reno City Council passed an ordinance that bans people from carrying more than four cans of spray paint at public facilities.
Ray Valdez, an artist who works with kids on painting murals, said punishment hasn't worked and suggested rewards for those who report it.
"A solution has to be found. The community has to come together," Valdez told the Reno Gazette-Journal.
Bjelke said he's preparing a new round of unspecified proposals.
Officials attribute the recent graffiti wave in part to the heaviest snowfall in the Reno area since 1916.
The heavy snow allowed kids to get to places city crews couldn't reach, and gave them the time because schools were shut down for five days.
Then came weeks of fog that allowed taggers to work without being seen, officials said.
Youths and gang members are believed to be responsible, officials added.
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Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com
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