LYNNWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Graffiti Clean-Up Brings Residents and Volunteers Together
 Focused graffiti clean-up effort brings together residents and volunteers to improve the quality of life in Lynnwood.
LYNNWOOD, WA
(May 5, 2015) – The Lynnwood Police Department Community Health and Safety Section’s new Graffiti Removal Unit,
was on scene last weekend to provide focused support to a neighborhood recently
overrun by unsightly graffiti. This
effort brought together volunteers from the police department's volunteer
programs and other community service workers. Many residents on 208th
ST from 52nd Ave West to Highway 99 came out to help, wielding
paint supplies of their own, refreshments and lots of energy.
“Graffiti is not only destructive to property but diminishes the
quality of life for residents and business owners” stated T.J. Brooks,
Sergeant of the Community Health and Safety Section of the Lynnwood Police
Department. “We have a team of dedicated
volunteers who make weekly patrols of the City. They are trained to remove graffiti on utility boxes, dumpsters, city
signs or city property.”
The Lynnwood Police encourage home owners to remove graffiti on their
property as soon as possible to deter further destruction. In special circumstances, the department will
assist residents and businesses who need more support for their clean up.
The Graffiti Removal Unit is nearly cost-free to the city due to the
support of Miller Paint who provides supplies and paint. The van was procured from the Public Works Department.
Rather than being auctioned off, it was repurposed for this new program.
Sergeant Brooks added, “we thoroughly investigate all graffiti crimes
which range from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the level of damage. Over
$250 is a felony.”
 Mayor Nicola Smith stands ready to paint out crime along with Citizens Patrol volunteer, Warner Adoga and Explorer member, Caleb Strauss.
What to do if you find graffiti on your property:
Call – Contact 911. An officer will take a report and photograph the damage.
Remove – Studies show that removal of graffiti within 24-48 hours reduces a recurrence considerably.
Record – To aid prosecution and restitution, please be sure to document your estimates and costs of surface restoration.
Interested in helping out with future clean ups? Contact a Crime Prevention Specialist at 425-670-5639 or 425-670-5635 or email NLi@ci.lynnwood.wa.us
Contact:
Lisa Wellington, Crime Prevention Specialist
Lwellington@ci.lynnwood.wa.us
425-670-5635
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