On March 24, 2009 the students at Primrose Elementary School were treated to a special assembly with an important message.  FUSD School Police Officer Cindy Evaro, Tracy Nagy of the City of Fontana's Public Works Department, and McGruff the Crime Dog (Albert Chavez of the City of Fontana) were at the school to promote their new pilot program, GREAT Fontana - Graffiti Removal Education and Awareness Team.  They wanted to let the students know how graffiti hurts everyone but how they can be part of the solution to this widespread problem.

Graffiti sends a signal that nobody cares, often attracting other forms of crime to the neighborhood.  It also decreases a resident's feeling of safety.  Officer Evaro spoke to the students about how graffiti makes them feel.  "How does it make you feel when you see graffiti?  Do you feel scared?" she asked.  The students' response was a loud and heartfelt "Yes!" and they wanted to know how to make graffiti stop.  Officer Evaro told them that the most effective way is to remove it as soon as possible.  Studies have shown that removal within 24 to 48 hours results in a nearly zero rate of reoccurrence.

The City has taken an aggressive stance against graffiti.  It passed a City Ordinance for the immediate removal of graffiti on residences and businesses throughout the city, free of charge.  If a tagger is arrested and convicted for graffiti or even being in possession of graffiti implements (such as spray paint, markers, etc.), they have to pay for the cost of cleanup, can be fined up to $1000, be put in jail for up to 6 months, or assigned to perform community services.  There is also a reward program of $500 for those reporting graffiti, which is paid upon self-admission by the suspect or by court conviction.  

As part of the City's anti-graffiti campaign, they have instituted a successful graffiti removal hotline - (909) 350-GONE (4663).  Citizens are encouraged to call the hotline to report graffiti around town.  The crew is usually at the site and removes the tag within 24-hours.  The City's graffiti removal hotline receives an average of 30 telephone calls a day.  However, since Officer Evaro and Mrs. Nagy began their GREAT Fontana assemblies, the phone calls have gone up to over 100 a day!   They contribute this rise in reporting to the additional help provided by the students.  Said Mrs. Nagy, "We have more eyes than workers now."

Mrs. Nagy is one of seven City of Fontana workers who go out and physically remove graffiti.  She demonstrated how she removes paint from a street sign, telling the students that many residents spend a lot time trying to remove it themselves.  She encouraged citizens to call the hotline because they have the proper tools and cleaning agents to get the job done quickly.  However, the removal of graffiti does come with a price - to the taxpayers.  "The City of Fontana spent well over $1 million last year removing graffiti, said Mrs. Nagy.  "That money could have gone for building a park or basketball court in your neighborhood!"

Office Evaro invited to the students to take a stand against graffiti vandalism in our City by joining the Graffiti Removal Education Awareness Team.  "Help us stop graffiti in our city!  If you see graffiti, call 350-GONE and report it.  Will you join our team?" asked Officer Evaro.  "Yes!" shouted the students.  "However," warned Officer Evaro, "if you see someone in the act of tagging, don't approach that person yourself - it could be dangerous.  Get to a telephone and call 911 and give the dispatcher a description of the person and their location."

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