SPOKANE, Wash. – The beginning of warmer weather poses a new challenge for anyone who is fed up with graffiti.
This is normally the time of year in Spokane when tagging cases skyrocket. The City of Spokane has introduced a new website aimed at cleaning it all up.
For residents like Falon Neely, trying to unwind in the springtime sun can be hard when there is an ugly dose of reality nearby.
"I associate crime with it," Neely said. "People doing it illegally are junking up something that's naturally beautiful."
From Neely's playing field, to parking lots, to places way up high, this is the time of year when graffiti cases soar.
Faced with a staggering increase in tagging cases, 2 On Your Side checked up on a website that allowed people to easily report graffiti.
Since July 2014, that website has allowed people to report the exact address of a tagging incident, including sending pictures.
Heading into the warm weather season, new numbers suggest the website could finally be making a dent in tagger's plans.
Nearly 200 tips have come into the website since July 2014, according to the city.
City officials also said nearly 90 percent of overall graffiti cases are uncovered through tips provided to the website.
Because those tips are instantaneous, the graffiti is covered up faster. City officials hope that will discourage taggers from breaking the law again.
Overall graffiti cases have dropped by 40 percent since 2014, city officials said.
The website was set up when graffiti enforcement was transferred from the police department to code enforcement.
As a result, Spokane Police are no longer bogged-down with graffiti complaints, giving them more time to investigate more serious issues.
To report graffiti in your area, click here.
