Noting an increase of graffiti in Hollister, the Hollister
Police Department organized a graffiti abatement day and called
upon community members to donate time or materials to paint areas
particularly affected.
Dear Editor:
Noting an increase of graffiti in Hollister, the Hollister Police Department organized a graffiti abatement day and called upon community members to donate time or materials to paint areas particularly affected.
On November 13, 2004, over 35 people participated in our first graffiti abatement effort. They were equipped with supplies and materials, such as paint, buckets, brushes and rollers provided by businesses, service clubs and residents. Working for just a couple of hours due to the threat of rain, these volunteers painted over graffiti at 19 different locations throughout Hollister.
The volunteers’ enthusiasm was such that they asked to return the following week to paint over extensive graffiti at three more locations. Over 20 people participated in that effort.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the many people, organizations and businesses that supported this effort:
Associated Student Body of SBHS
Boy Scout Troop 436, Boy Scout Troop 455, Cub Scout Troop 455, LULAC Youth of San Benito County, San Benito High School Interact Club, San Benito High School Key Club, Bevo’s Pizza, Hollister Disposal Waste Management, Hollister Hills SVRA, Hollister Paint Company, Hollister Police Department, Volunteers In Policing, K-Mart, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Norcal Waste Systems, The Pinnacle, Rotary Club of Hollister, Round Table Pizza, San Benito County, Integrated Waste Management, South Valley Disposal, True Value Hardware and John Williams.
Of particular note is the fact that many of those who showed up to paint over the graffiti were the youth of our community. They, and the adult leaders who accompanied them, demonstrated true community spirit.
There are still many more places to paint, and future graffiti abatement days will be scheduled. I hope that more people will join us in this endeavor.
Jeff Miller, Hollister Chief of Police
