8th District to Get Graffiti Hot Line

Residents of San Diego’s 8th Council District will soon be able to call a graffiti hot line to receive free help in removing graffiti from their property.

The hot line is part of the Graffiti Patrol program initiated by Councilman Bob Filner, who represents an area that has one of the city’s worst graffiti problems.

The idea is to use volunteers and Filner’s staff members to coordinate the effort to combat the graffiti problem, said Francisco Estrada, a Filner aide.

Residents of the 8th District who would like to have graffiti removed can call the hot line at 424-6372.

Someone from the Graffiti Patrol then will visit the property and have the owners or residents sign a release form permitting volunteers to paint the property.

The callers “are given the option to help out in doing the work,” said Estrada.

Residents who want a specific color will have to supply the paint, Estrada said. Otherwise, patrol members will use paint from a stock that has either been bought with funds from Filner’s office or donated by community and business members.

Although the service will not be in be in full operation until early next week, Estrada said calls have already begun to come in from people who would like to have graffiti removed.