Marysville's first-ever community 'Graffiti Paint-Out' rescheduled for July 23

Marysville’s first-ever community ‘Graffiti Paint-Out’ rescheduled for July 23

MARYSVILLE — The city of Marysville is seeking volunteers and corporate sponsors to join with active duty sailors from Navy Recruiting District Seattle and other groups and individuals in a community-wide 'Graffiti Paint-Out' on Saturday, July 23. Volunteers will gather at 9 a.m. in the Cedarcrest Middle School north parking lot, located at 6400 88th St. NE, to receive painting materials and location assignments that will direct them to several "hot spots" around Marysville and street-side fences where homeowners have been victimized.

July 19, 2011 5:45 pm

Volunteers will gather at 9 a.m. in the Cedarcrest Middle School north parking lot, located at 6400 88th St. NE, to receive painting materials and location assignments that will direct them to several “hot spots” around Marysville and street-side fences where homeowners have been victimized.

“We want this event to send a clear message to graffiti vandals and taggers that our community has zero tolerance for graffiti,” Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring said. “We hope you will join us in eradicating the unsightly blight that it creates along streets and in our neighborhoods.”

The City’s Graffiti Task Force and elected officials created the idea to host a one-day cleanup as a sign that graffiti will not be tolerated in the community. It was originally scheduled for July 16, but cancelled due to rain. According to Nehring, the city has been aggressive in education and enforcement efforts that have cracked down on graffiti and tagging, but it remains a problem.

Key “hot spots” that volunteers will target include the Kellogg Village area between 100th and 108th streets NE, east to 67th Avenue NE. Other areas include 136th Street, downtown and along the railroad tracks.

Navy Recruiting District Seattle has donated $1,000 towards the Graffiti Paint-Out, in addition to volunteering to pick up paint brushes themselves, but city officials are still seeking additional contributors.

Graffiti is a serious problem that negatively impacts commerce, reduces property values, creates blight and increases the propensity for gang-related activity, according to Marysville Code Enforcement Officer Paul Rochon, who has spent countless hours removing graffiti.

Volunteers interested in turning out for the Graffiti Paint-Out are advised to wear old, appropriate clothing that they won’t mind getting messy in.

Register to volunteer or ask for more information by contacting Marysville Parks Maintenance Manager Mike Robinson by phone at 360-363-8406 or via email at mrobinson@marysvillewa.gov.

To report graffiti anytime, use the Citizen Request Tracker Graffiti Online Reporting Form at http://marysvillewa.gov. It is located under the “I Want to” menu.