Mesa Police and West Mesa Citizens Team Up To Battle Gang
Graffiti
March 17, 2008
Many of us are familiar with the broken window affect and its
relation to criminal activity. When we consider gang-related
activity and how it contributes to this affect, one specific
type of activity that stands out is gang graffiti. Gang graffiti
is a written claim to a gang area or territory that has the
potential of intimidating citizens who may live in the affected
area. It makes those who may have lived in a neighborhood for
many years feel as if they are outsiders in a place they call
home.
West Mesa citizens, specifically those who participate in the
Dobson Station Community Advisory Board, have taken a unified
stance against gang graffiti in their area. The citizens in the
specified area helped identify numerous locations affected by
gang graffiti. They reported the locations to Community Action
officers at the Dobson Station and a list of locations was
compiled.
On Tuesday, March 18, 2008 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, officers
from the Dobson Station Community Action Team will accompany the
City of Mesa's Graffiti Paint-Out crew to the list of locations
to wipe out gang graffiti. The Mesa Police Department wants to
send a very clear message to street gang members who participate
in illegal activity. We will continue to arrest those who commit
crimes against the members of this community and we will help
those who choose to leave the gang lifestyle.
Citizens of Mesa who notice gang graffiti in their neighborhood
are encouraged to call the Graffiti Hotline at 480-644-3083. If
you suspect gang activity in your neighborhood, call the Gang
Hotline at 480-644-GANG.