MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE WAS POSTED ON THE NBC CHANNEL 2 WEBSITE  (http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=49514 ) CONCERNING GRAFFITI REMOVAL EFFORTS IN NIAGARA FALLS BY THE NIAGARA FALLS BLOCK CLUB COUNCIL. 

Posted by:  Stefan Mychajliw, Reporter  
Created: 7/13/2007 9:03:57 PM Updated: 7/16/2007 5:54:46 AM
Roger Spurback just retired from Delphi in January. He’s got some time on his hands, and he is now a man on a mission, spending about two hours a day driving around the City of Niagara Falls."I picked up eight more locations today," said Spurback. The Niagara Falls Block Club Council President is fighting a war against graffiti in the Cataract City. His weapons: lots of rollers and plenty of paint.

"Our mission this year is to remove as much graffiti as we possibly can within the first 72 hours of it being put down," said the block club president. Spurback and a group of 15 dedicated volunteers spot graffiti. And paint right over it. So far the block club spent $1,100 fighting this urban vandalism."In the past 45 days, we have removed approximately 170 tag locations," said Spurback. But there's one individual who is really getting under his skin. Every time volunteers cover up a wall or bridge this graffiti vandal puts his mark right back up. Sometimes it’s within hours.

This person is responsible for spray painting "g-o-n-e" in big bubble letters."’G-O-N-E.’ That's the one with the 500-dollar reward," said Spurback. Roger is offering a $500 reward out of his own pocket for anyone with information about who is spray-painting "G-O-N-E" all over Niagara Falls."If I can't get him with 500, I'll keep going as high as my pocket can bear," said the Niagara Falls resident.

At Monday night’s council meeting, the block club president pressured politicians, police, anyone who will listen, about the importance of stopping this graffiti immediately."And when this individual is caught, I've been assured by the judges in the city of Niagara Falls that he will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, which will include jail time," said Spurback. If you have any information, you’re asked to call (716)205-0289. All calls will remain confidential. The number for the Niagara Falls Police Department is (716)286-4545.

On March 9, 2007, the Niagara Falls Block Club Council presented its "Law Partner of the Year" award to Officer Nicholas Ligammari of the Niagara Falls Police Department.  This award was given to Nick for his extra efforts to help the citizen of Niagara Falls by attending block club meetings and events and for his tireless eforts in securing and managing grants to provide additional crime prevention services to the community through the Niagara Falls Police Department. Congratulations to Officer Nick Ligammari.

 

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