The writing on the wall is clear in our schools. Graffiti will not be tolerated. Some graffiti taggers consider their paint spattering as art. The Police and Sheriff Departments consider that vandalism. 

Fresno City Councilman Henry T. Perea was concerned by the blight that graffiti brought to his council district. When he asked Crime Stoppers to address the problem, it led to a joint solution from Crime Stoppers and Radio Station Y101.

Y 101, a popular radio station with today's youth, invites high school students to record 30 second audio spots which explain every time a school is graffitied there is $500 less for school activities such as football games and the prom. The students encourage witnesses to call 498-STOP and turn in the graffiti perpetrator(s). The radio spots are played on Y 101 and during morning announcements at participating high schools. As of January 2006 the anonymous tip line has received 29 graffiti tips which led to 20 arrests.

The second phase of the graffiti campaign will begin in January 2006 when anti-graffiti posters are distributed to local high schools thanks to our scholastic partners at Fresno, Central and Reedley Unified School Districts. The posters printed in this article are designed to promote school spirit and encourage students to take pride in their surroundings.

Additionally, Crime Stoppers is purchasing ad space in high school news papers to advertise the anonymous tip line and promote the graffiti program.

The graffiti program has only just begun. Through the benefit of time and the watchful eyes for students, graffiti can be erased.