FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Monday, December 20, 2010

Contact:   415-554-6931

CITY REWARDS GOOD SAMARITANS 

$250 awarded to two San Francisco residents who helped convict graffiti vandals

San Francisco, Ca – The Department of Public Works (DPW) announced today that it is issuing two $250 rewards checks to good Samaritans who made reports of graffiti vandalism that led to the arrest and conviction of taggers. The checks are part of the City’s Graffiti Rewards Fund, a collaboration between DPW, the Police Department and the Office of the District Attorney.

In one case, the resident spotted graffiti in progress near 18th and Mission streets and called 911. He then followed the vandals along Mission Street and identified a suspect to responding officers.  The resident also directed officers to a tagged up wall where officers gathered photo evidence and then arrested the suspect.

The second case occurred near Fulton Street by 44th Avenue in the City’s Richmond District where a resident reported graffiti in progress to 911 when he observed a vandal spray painting the trailer of a truck. When police arrived, the vandal dropped his spray can and ran. The resident later pointed out the graffiti vandalism after the suspect was in custody. The vandal pleaded no contest.  

The Graffiti Rewards Fund encourages residents to report the crime of graffiti vandalism to 911 when they see it. It offers $250 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of graffiti vandals. Three previous rewards were handed out this year. More information can be found at www.sfdpw.org.

DPW is responsible for the care and maintenance of San Francisco’s streets and much of its infrastructure. The department cleans and resurfaces streets; plants and maintains City street trees; designs, constructs and maintains city-owned facilities; inspects streets and sidewalks; constructs curb ramps; removes graffiti from public property; and partners with the diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco to provide stellar cleaning and greening services.

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