School Resource Officers Team Up With Kids to Paint Over Graffiti

Pasco Sheriff's Office school resource officers recently teamed up with summer day camp students in the annual GREAT graffiti cleanup. The project is part of Gang Resistance Education and Training that is a school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum. With prevention as its primary objective, the program is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership.

Locations throughout West Pasco were part of the group's efforts, including a Suncoast parkway overpass, an abandoned gas station, and other buildings "tagged" with unsightly graffiti.

Assistance with the cleanup was provided by the Salvation Army, who provided vans to transport the kids; Target, which provided water; and Lowe's, which provided the paint.

Photo: Girls get busy with the paint on Suncoast Parkway overpass.

An abandoned gas station was covered in graffiti but was quickly painted over by the eager painters.		The kids quickly learned that teamwork was the best way to cover the largest areas.