Document text
By Damian Mann Mail Tribune October 16. 2014 5:15PM Murals offered as solution to graffiti Converting graffiti-filled walls into colorful murals is an idea proposed by the Jackson County Gang Task Force on Thursday as one possible solution to the ongoing “tagging” problem. “We want to paint murals in some of the areas being tagged,” said Nina Egert, a member of the task force. Egert asked Medford City Council whether her group could organize the painting of a mural on a bathroom in Fichtner-Mainwaring Park that has been tagged. She said nonprofits would provide the money for the test project. “We want to test whether the gangs are not going to put graffiti on our mural,” she said. Egert said the theme of the mural would be simple, depicting some kind of imagery reflective of Native American influences. “It’s a very interesting idea,” Councilor Daniel Bunn said. Unfortunately, he said, the council couldn’t respond to her request that quickly. Instead, the Medford Arts Commission reviews artwork installed on public facilities, he said. Egert said the task force was having a hard time determining the ownership of various buildings, such as in Hawthorne Park, which she said receives the most tagging. She said local youth would be involved in creating the mural. “They would use their artistic impulses in a productive way,” Egert said. The city is currently working with the Oregon Department of Transportation to apply some kind of murals to the pillars supporting the Interstate 5 viaduct that runs next to Hawthorne Park. Medford police Chief Tim George said his department receives reports from many local citizens about graffiti, and the response is quick. “We have a pretty well oiled machine in place for graffiti eradication,” he said. The council agreed to let George work with Egert to see whether there was some way the city could allow the test mural. Egert told the council that there was only a narrow window of time to do the painting because of colder temperatures coming. Councilor Chris Corcoran said, “It’s frustrating for her to ask for something so simple, but the process is so complicated.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or email [email protected]. Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm.   http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141016/NEWS/141019708 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->