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Tackling graffiti on city's West Side

Over the last several years, the city has worked hard to tackle graffiti and other tagging. 

Mayor Byron Brown appeared at an area off Niagara Street Thursday as Americorp volunteers helped to remove the latest batch of graffiti.   

Credit WBFO News photos by Eileen Buckley
Ameriacorp volunteers gather to clear graffiti off Niagara Street visible from the 190

The back side of some buildings along Niagara Street  is visible from the 190.  That was the latest section of the city to be tagged with big chunky lettering in several colors.  

The Mayor announced that the city is partnering a stretch of Niagara Street businesses between the 198 and the Peace Bridge in the clean up effort.  

Mayor Brown says the problem is under control.

"No I don't think it has gotten out of hand at all," said Mayor Brown.   "The anti-graffiti  unit has done an excellent job.  We've armed citizens, block clubs and business associations with materials to clean off graffiti themselves."

Mayor Brown picked up a roller and dipped it in grey paint assisting volunteers to cover up the graffiti.

"But it is a constant effort to stay vigilant,' When it goes up to clean it off. To apprehend those responsible," said Mayor Brown. 

Down the street, graffiti bandits hit another building off Niagara Street at Albany Street. 

Credit WBFO News photos by Eileen Buckley
Graffiti vandals tagged a building on Albany Street near Niagara on the West Side

So far the city's anti-graffiti unit has already cleared more than 5,000 square feet of graffiti, with more too come.