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This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

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LAist Call to Action: In the memory of Maria Hicks...

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The story goes like this...


On Friday night, police said, Hicks, 57, was driving home from visiting her sister in Whittier when she noticed a teenager spraying graffiti on a cinder-block wall two blocks from her house near San Gabriel River Parkway and Woodford Street. Hicks honked her horn and flashed her lights at the teenager. As he walked away, she followed him in her car. Suddenly, another car pulled up behind her and someone fired several rounds through Hicks' rear windshield. She was struck in the back of the head and died Monday at a local hospital.

It is completely ridiculous and insanely infuriating to hear this story. Therefore, in the memory of Maria Hicks, a woman who set out to make her neighborhood a better and safer place, LAist asks you today to call and report one piece of graffiti to the city for abatement. It's really easy and takes a few minutes, sometimes even less.

For graffiti in the City of Los Angeles, you can call 3-1-1. If doing it on the phone is too much, report it online (it's faster this way). For County property, call 2-1-1. And on freeways, call Caltrans at 213-897-3656.

Hopefully you will see ridding your block or neighborhood of graffiti is really not that hard. Los Angeles has a choice to be graffiti free or not. And that choice is yours. As Councilman Eric Garcetti says, take charge of your block, become a block captain (yeah, it sounds a little dorky, whatever) and sign up at www.UnTagLA.com.

Report Graffiti in Other Cities (a select list)
Pico Rivera
Glendale
Pasadena
Santa Clarita
Culver City
Beverly Hills
West Hollywood
Santa Monica
Long Beach

For cities not listed, contact your local city hall or search their website.

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