Hollywood grapples with graffiti problem; latest murals are big and bold

By Ihosvani Rodriguez |South Florida Sun Sentinel
2:20 PM EDT, June 7, 2009

HOLLYWOOD - The work of the unknown artists has been elaborate, colorful and prolific.

But city officials are giving it a thumbs down.

Police are searching for a bold graffiti master - or more likely a crew of them - using the city's area buildings as canvasses. The vandalism goes beyond a few scribbled words or gang messages, but rather consists of large-scale renderings that take up significant portions of walls near City Hall.

One of the latest murals, near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and 24th Avenue, caught the attention of nearby resident Commissioner Beam Furr, who is calling for a reward for the vandals' capture.

"It looks like the same signature," said Furr, who initiated an impromptu anti-graffiti discussion during Wednesday's regular city meeting. "He's gotta be proud of his stuff and showing it off to others. Someone has to know who it is and hopefully turn him in.''

By Thursday evening, city workers had painted over the rendering near Furr's neighborhood.

But two larger pieces facing Interstate-95 - one near Taylor Street and the other near Johnson Street - were still there Friday.

Police are pushing neighborhood resource officers to investigate and said they are discussing the possibility of offering a reward to find the vandals.

City officials have been griping about graffiti for months.

In May, two vandals made headlines when they were literally caught "red-handed" after tagging the city's water tower off Sheridan Street. Ordered down by police, the pair left the 150-foot tower with paint on their hands and spray cans in their pockets.

"It's a pretty serious problem," said Mayor Peter Bober, who was not amused by the latest rash. "Even if you publicize the problem, all you are doing is given them the recognition they are looking for."