LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The Arts District is known for celebrating various forms of art, however, frustrations are high in the area as taggers have taken over and destroyed property and other artists’ work.
“It’s unfortunate that we still see it even with all the efforts that they’re making,” Janel Raihl a local artists shared with 8 News Now. “The owners of this building’s wall just two blocks down just got tagged last night and it was a mural in progress. It hasn’t even been finished yet so now that artist has to start over.”
Recently, the Arts District 18B sign located on 4th Street and Las Vegas Boulevard was tagged.
Due to the growing issue, The City of Las Vegas’ graffiti tech team of six people goes out and removes graffiti daily by either power washing or painting over it.
The city stated that their team has covered nearly 225,000 tags across 20 acres of surface area, costing the city about $1.2 million per year.
Raihl said she is doing her best to motivate others in the community to display their art the right way encouraging graffiti artists to become muralists for the city.
“I don’t think people realize that the local businesses are fined by the city if they don’t cover over it, so I think part of that is just educating people,” Raihl added. “If you want to paint, why not ask the local businesses and say I’ve got this idea, can I do it?”
Those who would like to report graffiti in their neighborhood can call Clark County’s Graffiti hotline at 702-455-4509.
