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Politics & Government

Echo Park Group Kicks Off 9th Year Fighting Graffiti

Councilman Eric Garcetti kicks off UNTAG's 2012 Anti-Graffiti Program with pancake breakfast Saturday. The group says graffiti is down 75 percent since the program began.

Feel good about beautifying Echo Park and enjoy a pancake breakfast alongside City Councilman Eric Garcetti at the 9th annual Uniting Neighborhoods to Abolish Graffiti (UNTAG) anti-graffiti program Saturday, June 16 at 9:00 a.m. at Centro del Pueblo in Echo Park.

Launched in 2004, UNTAG has reduced graffiti by more than 75 percent in Garcetti’s district, according to one estimate.

UNTAG trains local residents to serve as Block Captains, who agree to monitor one block or hot spot and report graffiti for paint out.  

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The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works oversees the city’s graffiti removal program and contracts with the Hollywood Beautification Team and the who do most of the nitty-gritty.

These two non-profit organizations employ dozens of local at-risk youth as part of their graffiti paint-out crews.

In 2008, UNTAG was named a finalist for the National League of Cities’ Award for Municipal Excellence, which recognizes outstanding programs that have improved the quality of life in their communities.

Find out what's happening in Echo Park-Silver Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

RSVP today to Caesar (323) 957-4500.

El Centro del Pueblo is located on 1157 Lemoyne Street in Echo Park, CA 90026.

(213) 483-6335

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