North Channel Sentinel News

Generous donation helps HCSO fight graffiti

Updated: 02.17

As local authorities work diligently to keep crime and gang activity at bay, another threat is creating eyesores in the community.

donation Feb.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (HCSO-CPAAA) presented a brand new gas operated pressure washer to the HCSO Anti-Gang Task Force and Graffiti Abatement program.

The CPAAA was created to enhance the relationship between the community and the HCSO.

CPAAA members participate in activities that support the HCSO, such as fund-raisers for injured officers, support at community events, and educating the community about the HCSO.

Last summer, the HCSO created an Anti-Gang Task Force and Graffiti Abatement program.

In an effort to stop vandals from further destroying public property, the HCSO and Sheriff Adrian Garcia established the anti graffiti unit to coincide with the gang suppression unit.

For sometime, gangs have used spray painted messages as a means of territorial markings and gang intimidation.

Garcia, who has a background in gang investigations, says by adding the graffiti unit, they can easily identify the gangs in the area and thwart any feuds ignited by the tagging.

“Gangs like to take control of given territory,” Garcia says. “They do this with tagging. In order to eliminate the gangs and criminals, it is important to eliminate their markings.”

Concerned with the needs of their community and the HCSO, the District III CPAAA decided to do what they could to help get the program started.

One major need was for a pressure washer, a tool that would help the graffiti abatement team ensure a better job of removing the graffiti. The organization purchased the pressure washer as a donation for the graffiti abatement program.

“In District 3, graffiti is a never ending problem,”says David Moon, president of HCSO-CPAAA, “Donating this machine will help remove the graffiti in a timely manner.”

Moon says the pressure washer isn’t the only thing the organization has donated to the HCSO.

“We try and donate things to the substations that taxpayers don’t pay for such as coffee, cups and other needed necessities that the officers really appreciate,” Moon says.

Cpt. Kevin Radabaugh of HCSO says its good to have citizens who care and want to help their community and the officers who keep it safe.

“On behalf of Sheriff Adrian Garcia and HCSO, we gladly accept this truly generous gift. It will become a pivotal asset in fighting the blithe of graffiti in this and surrounding communities,” Radabaugh says.

Jessica Sanchez, vice president of the HCSO-CPAAA, says it is the duty of members to do what they can to be the eyes, ears and sometimes aides, to help ensure a safe community for all.

“I'm so proud to be a part of the HCSO-CPAAA. It's a wonderful way to get involved with our community,” says Sanchez. “The deputies always do so much for the citizens, more than most of us realize, so it's a great opportunity to give back and support those who protect us.”

“Sheriff’s deputies have a very dangerous job,” says Mike Sanchez, president of the Woodforest Citizens on Patrol (WCOP), “I give all the time required to do anything to make their job easier and it's not a burden at all. I feel like it's the least I can do to donate my time and energy since they put their lives on the line every day for us.”

Radabaugh asked the public to report any graffiti sighting anonymously at www.hcso.hctx.net/Graffiti.aspx.