Graffiti and taggers display handy work

Graffiti and tagging are nothing new, but brazen efforts drew the ire of community that prides itself on local artistry and the tagline of “keep Leucadia funky.” While the majority of handy work is likely the work of teenagers looking for attention, some could be related to “sea aliens” who are now invading San Diego’s coastline from Mexico.

The words used in connection to this graffiti or tagging spree included Liberté, égalité, fraternité, which is French for “liberty, equality and fraternity for brotherhood. The words used in that combination are also commonly used as a sometime motto for French groups and can be tied to the French Revolution.

Regardless of the meaning residents who were on the receiving end of the graffiti found nothing artistic or funny about it.

“I have worked all my life to live in a nice neighborhood and I am outraged that these punks have the gall to mark their turf with spray paint like some dog urinating on a tree to mark their territory,” John Herbert a resident in the middle of the tagging spree. “When I see such a total disregard like this for someone else's property, it's obvious to me that it's all going to hell.”

Others took it in stride, but expressed their disappointment in kids who think defacing public and private property will gain some attention.

“This is the first time we’ve seen this and we are very disappointed and saddened with whoever defaced the Stone Steps stairwell and private property,” said Tom and Jan Lyon. “We’ve lived here for 13 years and it’s disappointing and unacceptable for this to take place.”

One beachfront resident had a different spin on the graffiti that has shown up in recent months.

“I’ve noticed an uptick of tagging on sign and telephone poles lately,” explains Rick Stoddard an Encinitas beachfront resident. “I’ve seen the panga boats come up the beach and drop off illegals on the sand. I think there’s a strong possibility that the graffiti out here on the street could point these illegal immigrants who are getting off the boats to safe houses somewhere in the community.”

One thing the beachtown residents have on their side is a well-prepared city. First thing in the morning residents called the graffiti hotline and by four in the afternoon it’s as if nobody had disturb the lazy seaside neighborhood. “We send out code enforcement employees to photograph the graffiti, forward pictures to the Sheriff Department and then we repaint,” said Joan Kling Code Enforcement manager.

The community representatives also want the residents to know that no matter the problem they are attentive and want to work with the community to solve issues as they arise.

“It’s important to make all the people who live in San Diego County feel like you are looking out for them,” says Sheriff candidate Jim Duffy. “Even graffiti is a quality of life issue and we need to make sure our deputies address these types of issues within the targeted communities.”

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner