The first community graffiti cleanup in Anthony proved highly successful. Some 30 volunteers gathered from 7 a.m. this morning and stayed till 1:30 this afternoon bringing their paint rollers and other supplies to begin to combat the epidemic of gang graffiti that has plagued the community for years. Deputies John Day and Robert Hernandez  coordinated and supervised the successful activity that will continue tomorrow. Weather was clear although somewhat muggy. Participants from Anthony, Vado, Las Cruces and El Paso pitched in for the event. Kids as young as 5 and older adults worked side by side with paint rollers and also helped to free certain highly visible areas and a small cemetery of trash and debris.

Evidence of the rapid cleanup effort could be seen as one drove down various Anthony streets where graffiti seemed to magically have disappeared from just the day before. Workers moved quickly to "take down" the territorial markings inflicted on the community by members of the 8 gangs that claim the area as theirs.

Day commented that it is expected that gang members will re-tag the cleaned up areas in retaliation for removal of their territorial markings. A teen graffiti wipeout participant from Northeast El Paso added that the effort will require "several followup wipeouts", as the gang members will see the event as one of "who gives up first. We're not going to give up, of course. We're in this to win."

The participants were treated to Little Caesar's Pizza and Sonic Burgers after the event. A drawing was also hosted by the attending sheriff's deputies where the winners acquired tickets for a day at Wet N Wild Waterpark.

The effort continues tomorrow at 7 a.m., where participants will meet at the Dona Ana County Anthony Sheriff's Substation. The public is encouraged to pitch in for this highly worthwhile and quality-of-life enhancing effort.

Rob Gallardo