GRAFFITI BUSTERS:
WHO WE ARE …….
and
WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED
January 1988 – August 1988
Hannah Dyke and Charlotte Bedard, long-time residents of Sylmar, teamed together to combat graffiti and beautify their community.
In short order, Sylmar Graffiti Busters was organized under the auspices of the Sylmar Chamber of Commerce beautification program.
A 24-hour Hot Line for reporting graffiti was established, donated by a local business.
Ernani Bernardi, Los Angeles City Councilman for the Sylmar area, was persuaded to find funding for a sandblaster. A second sandblaster was purchased using donations to the group.
A “graffiti-free” Business District in Sylmar was achieved in April, just in time for the Annual Parade.
Graffiti was removed in Sylmar on a four-day per week schedule using only volunteer labor.
A campaign was mounted to educate the public. A public forum was sponsored and volunteers made visits to local schools.
Harold Baird, a volunteer with the group, wrote the group’s story, published as “Graffiti Busting”. The costs to publish the book were donated and it was given away as a premium with a $5.00 donation.
Volunteers from the community were recruited to assist with neighborhood clean ups. In addition to graffiti removal, volunteers helped Sylmar residents clean up trash and debris from their neighborhoods.
Volunteers reported abandoned vehicles and run-down unsafe buildings to the Council Office for further action.
September 1988 – August 1989
“Graffiti Busting” entered its second printing and was shipped to communities all over the United States.
The group worked with local and state officials to encourage anti-graffiti legislation.
Sylmar Graffiti Busters, Inc. (“SGBI”), was incorporated as a California Non-Profit Corporation in August, 1989.
SGBI coordinated community improvement projects with businesses, residents, churches, Neighborhood Watch groups, and the Sylmar Independent Baseball League.
“Family Circle” Magazine and “The Home Show” ABC television program featured Hannah Dyke and Charlotte Bedard and their efforts as founders of SGBI.
SGBI established monthly neighborhood cleanups to ensure that each neighborhood in the community received a thorough cleaning annually.
SGBI persuaded Ernani Bernardi, Los Angeles City Councilman, to obtain funding to haul away the tons of trash accumulated during the cleanups.
SGBI obtained authorization and began using court-referred community service workers to remove graffiti; clean streets, curbs, and gutters; and trim trees and shrubbery.
SGBI volunteers removed over 80,000 square feet of graffiti from Sylmar.
SGBI’s gross receipts from donations totaled over $10,000.00.
September 1989 – August 1990
SGBI repaired and maintained miles of equestrian trials throughout the community.
SGBI provided labor and landscaping services to the baseball park operated by the Sylmar Independent Baseball League.
SGBI aided the disabled and elderly in painting and cleaning up their homes and gardens.
SGBI provided speakers for local, regional, and national organizations.
SGBI sponsored a Town Hall Meeting to bring the problems of the community to the attention of the government agencies assigned to the area.
SGBI volunteers apprehended six graffiti-writing vandals and supported their prosecution.
SGBI constructed a 1,500 square foot permanent occupational center and storage building.
SGBI sponsored monthly neighborhood cleanups which resulted in the removal of many tons of trash and debris.
SGBI participated in the construction of a BMX bicycle track at Olive View Medical Center for an area-wide event.
SGBI supervised over 25,000 hours of work performed by court-referred community service workers.
SGBI removed over 200,000 square feet of graffiti from Sylmar.
SGBI’s gross receipts from earned fees, awards, and donations totaled over $60,000.00.
September 1990 – August 1991
SGBI maintained Sylmar, with most graffiti removed within twenty-four hours after it was reported.
SGBI hired full-time employees to supervise court-referred community service workers.
SGBI’s educational efforts were intensified, with seminars and workshops performed throughout southern California, and participation in the National Anti-Graffiti Network convention in Denver, Colorado.
SGBI sponsored mural projects in graffiti-target areas.
SGBI expanded solicitation of donations of goods, services, and funding for current operations and future projects.
SGBI received the J. C. Penney “Golden Rule” Award in May.
SGBI removed over 200,000 square feet of graffiti.
SGBI’s gross receipts from earned fees, awards, and donations totaled over $60,000.00.
September 1991 – August 1992
SGBI provided graffiti removal and maintenance services to Sylmar, with most graffiti removed within twenty-four hours after it was reported.
SGBI employees and volunteers supervised court-referred community service workers five days each week.
SGBI’s educational efforts focused on Sylmar’s elementary schools with a beautification course that emphasized alternatives to graffiti and vandalism. SGBI continued to provide speakers to seminars and workshops throughout California, and participated in the National Anti-Graffiti Network convention in Texas.
SGBI sponsored mural projects in graffiti-target areas.
SGBI removed over 248,000 square feet of graffiti.
SGBI’s gross receipts from earned fees, awards, and donations totaled over $54,000.00.
What Next?
We appreciate your interest and support of SGBI. The beauty of Sylmar is maintained by this volunteer organization. We solicit funding from government agencies and businesses in the private sector and, at this time, approximately 70% of our income comes from these sources. However, as cuts are made in their budgets, we can expect to receive less in the future.
To make up the difference, the community — you and your neighbors — must donate cash, materials, and/or time to underwrite our ongoing operation to keep Sylmar beautiful.