MARYSVILLE — The city of Marysville is once again looking to recruit individuals and groups interested in taking part in their latest community-wide “Graffiti Paint-Out” on Saturday, April 14.

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” throughout Marysville, where homeowners’ street-side fences have been vandalized.

“The paint-out is our community’s message to graffiti vandals and taggers that we have zero tolerance for graffiti,” Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring said. “We hope you will join us in eradicating the blight that graffiti creates along streets and in our neighborhoods.”

The city’s Graffiti Task Force and elected officials created the idea to conduct a one-day cleanup as a sign that graffiti will not be tolerated in the community. The city has been aggressive in education and enforcement efforts that have cracked down on graffiti and tagging, but it remains a problem, according to Nehring.

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, one of the city employees who has spent countless hours removing graffiti.

If graffiti isn’t removed within 24-48 hours, studies show that the frequency and amount of graffiti will increase.

Volunteers interested in turning out for the “Graffiti Paint-Out” are advised to wear old, appropriate clothing that they won’t mind getting messy. The event should last until noon.

Register to volunteer or ask for more information by contacting city Parks Maintenance Manager Mike Robinson by phone at 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’s located under the site’s “I Want To” menu.