I have HAD IT!!! I live on Lisbon Lane, and the graffiti is absolutely out of control in our alley facing St Moritz. Now it is all over Desert Hills Middle School. I called Graffiti Busters three times, and the graffiti is still up--I think because they need written permission from the homeowner to remove the graffiti, and the graffiti is on block fences of houses up for sale whose owners are who knows where.

This has GOT TO STOP! I can't attend the meetings of the block watch as I work afternoons and evenings, but I want to be a part of fighting back against this violation of our community. I don't know the first thing about removing graffiti, and to boot, I have a shoulder injury, which makes me pretty useless for painting (I can't do any overhead movements except for physical therapy), but I'm willing to help out in whatever way I can.

Graffiti feeds on itself--the longer it stays up, the more comes to join it. And studies show that once graffiti starts, more serious crimes follow. I'm all for civil liberties and against HOAs, but to require a homeowner's permission to remove vandalism seems ridiculous. I doubt the seller would want to keep the ''local art'' up for display.

Driving out of my alley every day and reading names of people who are ''West Side 4 Life'' is frustrating and demoralizing. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for reading.

Beth