Wiping Out Graffiti in Southeast Oklahoma City

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A group of volunteers took back their neighborhood Saturday, one building at a time.

With a paint brush and roller these volunteers wiped the slate clean. They started with a southeast Oklahoma City business, which is a common gang target in the area.

It's not the first time this wall has been painted, the owner of the building said she has had to paint it numerous times. She may even have to paint it again as soon as next week.

Juan Guerro started the Establishing a Great Society organization. His mission is to clean up neighborhoods.

"We want to get into these communities, not just this area, but all over Oklahoma City," said Guerro. "By us doing this, it eliminates and prevents a lot of violence within gangs."

The volunteers worked in Oklahoma Senator Andrew Rice's district. He came to support the group's efforts.

"We've had a big increase in graffiti on private property and the inner city here with gang activity," Senator Andrew Rice said.

While there is no current legislation to crack down on gang activity, Rice would like to see community organizations working together to do more of this.

"We know very likely that these kids may come out and paint this same building again, but the point is we're sending a message that this is private property. We care about our urban neighborhoods," Sen. Rice said.

Juan Guerro is a student at OSU-OKC and needs more funding, and volunteers to continue his work. If you would like to help him out you can call 922-6015.