Graffiti makes Portland ugly. It used to be beautiful. If we want tourist dollars, and if we want to live in a place that is uplifting instead of depressing, we need to fix this problem.

The Legislature is spending millions of dollars to paint over graffiti. Good, (“Another Portland freeway will close this month to combat graffiti. Can the state stay ahead of taggers?” July 1).

But we need to think about prevention.

Increase criminal penalties for tagging. Ideally, jail time should require working by day on a crew that cleans up graffiti, all day long. Additional offenses result in longer sentences. The longest sentence should be a day less than a year. This way, the time is served in the local jail and the offender can keep painting over graffiti, all day long.

Increase the budget for law enforcement to apprehend taggers. Post signs on roadways with a number for drivers to call to report tagging, with quick response available.

Maybe we should start volunteer organizations to paint over graffiti, like the No Ivy League that removes ivy from trees in the forests. Overwhelm the taggers with squadrons of volunteers.

Lady Bird Johnson believed the beautification of our cities would bring additional benefits. Rudy Giuliani 1.0 (the good one, who became “America’s mayor”) campaigned on getting rid of the extortionate “squeegie guys,” on the theory that eliminating petty crime would have the effect of reducing other crime. Both were right. Let’s do it.

Barb Gazeley, Portland

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