Glendale, AZ arrest shows the power of an effective anti-graffiti strategy

Here is a good example of how one city, Glendale, Arizona, effectively utilizes its anti-graffiti/vandalism strategy. Notice that it incorporates the following elements:

1. they have an anti-graffiti website
2. they offer a reward for useful tips
3. they work with prosecutors, asking for charges to be brought
4. they use the media and internet to publicize their successes

Benicia could learn from this city's successes.

- Ross Sagun

Glendale Police Nab Number 1 Graffiti Suspect

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Officers from a Glendale Police Neighborhood Response Squad located and arrested their “most wanted” graffiti vandal yesterday. They arrested him for drug possession charges, but plan to submit 14 cases of Criminal Damage against him for the graffiti incidents.

For several weeks, Officers Randy Stewart and William Keeble have trying to identify a graffiti vandal who uses the tagging name “Scar.” He was the foremost subject depicted on the department’s Graffiti Busters website (www.glendaleaz.com/police/GraffitiBustersMostWanted.cfm). “Scar” is responsible for at least 14 cases of vandalism causing thousands of dollars of damage to block walls, poles, signs and other property throughout north Glendale.

Officer Keeble recently got information that “Scar” is actually Henry Almeter (w/m 2/9/88), a 19 year-old Glendale resident. On December 12th, Officer Keeble went to Almeter’s house in the 7300 block of W. Villa Hermosa Avenue to serve a search warrant. He found Almeter leaving the house and detained him. Almeter was found to be in possession of both marijuana and cocaine and was arrested for those crimes. Officer Keeble then served the search warrant and located numerous items of evidence which link Almeter to graffiti vandalism, along with more illegal drugs. Officer Keeble is submitting 14 different cases of Criminal Damage against Almeter to prosecutors, asking that criminal charges be filed. Almeter will also have to answer for the drugs found on his person and in his residence.

Anyone with information about a graffiti vandal can call the TAG (Together Against Graffiti) Hotline at 602-262-7327. Tips leading to an arrest can qualify for rewards of up to $250.00.

City of Glendale - Police - Graffiti Busters Most Wanted The Glendale Police Department is asking the residents of Glendale for assistance in preventing graffiti throughout the City as well as catching graffiti vandals. The following photos represent some of the existing graffiti incidents that the Police Department is currently pursuing. Do you recognize any of these tags? Do you have information on who is responsible? If so, please CLICK HERE and submit a tip online. If you are witnessing the graffiti being applied now, please contact the Glendale Police Department immediately at (623) 930-3000. Need to have graffiti removed? Click here to submit a removal request online.

[Glendale Police Department]