Spray and Pay Reward Program - A Program for Controlling Graffiti

West Chicago, Illinois - June 20, 2008 - West Chicago Police Chief Donald Goncher would like to remind the citizens of West Chicago of the Spray and Pay Reward Program. The program is a partnership between the Police Department and the residents of West Chicago for controlling graffiti within the community.

Graffiti is not just words and symbols sprayed on a wall. Graffiti is an act of vandalism that costs thousands of dollars to remove every year. Graffiti is also not viewed solely as a police problem. It is believed that in order to effectively address graffiti, the community must become involved. The problem of graffiti can be dealt with more effectively when it is clearly viewed as a crime and treated as such. Taking graffiti and its negative affects on the community more seriously will ensure greater efforts to prosecute offenders, and will hold those responsible more accountable.

The anti-graffiti program is designed to arrest and punish the offenders, while at the same time reward citizens who help the police to combat it. The City's "Spray and Pay Reward Program" will give citizens up to $200 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of graffiti vandals. To be eligible for a reward through the program, simply call the tip hotline at (630) 231-1711 and follow the instructions. After submitting a claim form, notification of the status of the claim will be made available.

Claim forms are available at the West Chicago Police Department or by contacting the Graffiti Control Program hotline at (630) 231-1711. You may also complete and submit the form on-line at www.westchicago.org/departments/police.