I've never understood the need to graffiti.
Some folks look at it as art. perhaps in some context it is.
But never, never, on a church.
Church members fed up with graffiti
Selena Hernandez KENS 5 Eyewitness News
Some residents living in the Harlandale area say they are tired of taggers and want their community cleaned up of color-happy vandals. It's so bad, one church has been targeted twice this week alone.
The members of the Harlandale Baptist Church had just painted over weekend graffiti when they were hit again.
"It's everywhere, everywhere you look," South Side resident Tiffany Wigley said.
The streets on the South Side are covered in an array of colors, but it's not the vibrant vision they want associated with their community.
The members of the Harlandale Baptist Church had just painted over weekend graffiti when they were hit again.
"It's everywhere, everywhere you look," South Side resident Tiffany Wigley said.
The streets on the South Side are covered in an array of colors, but it's not the vibrant vision they want associated with their community.
"Nobody is going to go, 'oh wow, honey, look at the art on the side of the church,' no it's scary; it makes you wonder who's in here," Wigley said. "It's kind of embarrassing."
Perhaps no one knows more about the frustrations brought on by taggers than Pastor Dan Trevino of Harlandale Baptist Church.
"Nothing's safe; nothing's sacred," Trevino said.
Perhaps no one knows more about the frustrations brought on by taggers than Pastor Dan Trevino of Harlandale Baptist Church.
"Nothing's safe; nothing's sacred," Trevino said.
His church sits on the heavily traveled East Southcross. It's a location he believes makes his place of worship susceptible to spray can-toting vandals.
"We're being tagged at least once a week," Trevino said.
The church bears the markings of off-colored paint — an effort to cover what some have left behind.
"We're talking men that are 75 and 80 years old that come in and paint over what needs to be painted and wash off what needs to be washed off," Trevino said.
Now there is a plea — and a message of forgiveness — in hopes the guilty graffiti artists hear his prayers.
Now there is a plea — and a message of forgiveness — in hopes the guilty graffiti artists hear his prayers.
"We're here to help in every way possible and instead of hurting us, help us," Trevino said.
It is a felony to tag a church, and fines can vary. But for those left to clean the mess, like Trevino, the investment is several thousand dollars.
It is a felony to tag a church, and fines can vary. But for those left to clean the mess, like Trevino, the investment is several thousand dollars.
