Volunteers help wipe out graffiti

The Lynnwood Police Department Community Health and Safety Section’s new Graffiti Removal Unit recently focused its efforts on a neighborhood that had been overrun by graffiti. Volunteers hailed from the police department’s volunteer programs and other community service programs. Many residents on 208th Street from 52nd Avenue West to Highway 99 also came out to help, wielding paint supplies of their own, refreshments and lots of energy.

“We have a team of dedicated volunteers who make weekly patrols of the city. They are trained to remove graffiti on utility boxes, dumpsters, city signs or city property,” Sgt. T.J. Brooks said.

The Lynnwood Police encourage homeowners to remove graffiti on their property as soon as possible to deter further destruction. In special circumstances, the department will assist residents and businesses who need more support for their clean-up.

The Graffiti Removal Unit is nearly cost-free to the city thanks to the support of Miller Paint, which provides supplies and paint. A van was repurposed from the Public Works Department for the program.

What to do if you find graffiti on your property:

Call: Contact 911. An officer will take a report and photograph the damage.

Remove: Studies show that removal of graffiti within 24 to 48 hours reduces a recurrence considerably.

Record: To aid prosecution and restitution, be sure to document your estimates and costs of surface restoration.

Interested in helping out with future clean-ups? Contact a crime prevention specialist at 425-670-5639 or 425-670-5635, or email NLi@ci.lynnwood.wa.us.

New viewing area, thanks to Scouts

The city of Arlington recently thanked Eagle Scout candidate Keenan Braam for his work helping develop a new viewing area overlooking the Stillaguamish River.

Keenan was looking for an Eagle Scout project. City Storm Water Manager Bill Blake suggested a bench at the top of the bluff overlooking Country Charm Park and Conservation Area. The city had some thick fir planks that had been sawed from a large fir tree that was taken down to make room for the new playground at Haller Park. The planks were saved to make benches and signs. The city had also stored a kiosk built by David Simbeck (who achieved the Eagle Scout rank in 2011). The kiosk was placed near Keenan’s bench and will tell the story about Country Charm.

Keenan took charge of the project and even added a rose garden and split-cedar fence along the top of the bank.

The bench is located at the corner of Alcazar and Gilman avenues. People out for a walk in the area are encouraged to sit and enjoy the view of Country Charm and the South Fork Stillaguamish River.

Garden club celebrates grant

The Snohomish Garden Club has received a $500 Grassroots Grant from Scotts Miracle-Gro to support the work of its members who, with help from local volunteers, grow tens of thousands of pounds of local produce every year at the Martha Perry Community Veggie Garden on land generously donated by Bailey’s Farm. The produce is then given to the Snohomish and Maltby food banks and the Snohomish Senior Center.

The Snohomish Garden Club invites new volunteers to help grow food at the garden, Tuesday and Thursday mornings throughout the growing season. A small celebration and planting kick-off work party is set for 8-11 a.m. May 16. The garden is located in Snohomish on Springhetti Road next to Bailey’s Farm.

For more information, contact Laura Hartman at 360-794-9121.

Scouts give state park’s trash a new look

Boy Scout Troop 46 of Camano Island will soon be awarding two scouts, Dietrich Menzer, 15, and Peregrine Spane, 18, the highest rank in scouting, Eagle Scout.

One of the requirements to earn the rank is a service project. For their projects, Dietrich and Peregrine both built waste receptacle enclosures at Camano Island State Park. Peregrine’s is near the RV campsites, and Dietrich’s is down at the south end of the beach.

The Scouts earned their ranks within two months of each other and will share an awards ceremony.

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