Community Bands Together to Eradicate Graffiti 

HOUSING and COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PR-0106 PR CONTACT: Ken Domer 714.480.2990 February 28, 2001

Community Bands Together to Eradicate Graffiti

Unincorporated Areas of Southwest Anaheim and Colonia Independencia Dedicate A Saturday to Painting Out Graffiti

(Santa Ana, CA) -On Saturday, February 24, 2001, residents of Southwest Anaheim and Colonia Independencia, two unincorporated communities in Anaheim, came together to clean up their community by painting the block wall along Gilbert Street from Katella Avenue to the Union Pacific Railroad crossing. The block wall formerly had been a quiltwork of paint colors and graffiti and was identified by residents as a blighting influence upon the communities. The Saturday morning painting party was organized by community leaders and assisted by the County of Orange Housing & Community Development Department, Probation Department, Sheriff’s Department, the Community Service Program, Inc., Orange County Community Development Council, Inc., and the Anaheim Independencia Community Center, Inc. Over thirty residents from both communities participated using donated paint and supplies to paint the wall a uniform color, eradicating previous traces of graffiti. In addition, extra paint will be kept on hand to cover any new graffiti which may arise. A similar community-based effort last April eradicated graffiti along the Chapman Avenue wall in the unincorporated community of Anaheim Island, located in the Garden Grove sphere of influence.

Youth From Southwest Anaheim and Colonia Independencia make final touches to a wall and take advantage of the donated food.

Community Members line the sidewalk in their part to paint the Gilbert Street Wall.

Taking great care, community youth give it their all in eradicating graffiti.