Palmdale launches “Say it, Don’t Spray It!” anti-graffiti campaign

Palmdale has launched a “Say it, Don’t Spray It!” anti-graffiti campaign to clean up city streets.

City employees received tools — including heavy-duty wipes, protective gloves, and scrapers — to erase the spray paint and remove stickers off city streets, sidewalks, and signs. Employees also wore safety shirts printed with the slogan “Say it, Don’t Spray It!” and headed out in small teams on Monday, Dec. 5, to clean up graffiti. The initiative is ongoing, and city employees are already signing up for future cleanup days, officials said.

“I am so inspired and energized by our staff’s effort to take pride in our city,” Interim City Manager Ronda Perez said during the kick-off presentation. “This is just the beginning of these efforts. Palmdale is my home, and I want to see graffiti gone.”

“It has a very negative effect on our community,” said Palmdale Sheriff’s Station Captain Ron Shaffer during the safety training. “If people are greeted by this blight when they visit Palmdale, they turn around and often don’t come back. I am inspired by everyone here clearly demonstrating how much they love Palmdale.”

City staff is working with the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station in graffiti abatement efforts. Graffiti is documented and turned over to a Palmdale Sherriff’s Station detective before being erased. Graffiti not easily removed by hand is removed by the city’s abatement team.

The efforts are funded by Measure AV. To report graffiti in Palmdale, call 94-PRIDE (947-7433) or text REPORT to 661/780-PALM (7256).

[Information via news release from the city of Palmdale.]

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