A well-attended graffiti meeting was held in Lakewood Park by the manager of the King County Evergreen maintenance district.

The school director of security stated at this meeting that the school district spent $67,000 on graffiti cleanup and paint over. That amount could pay a teacher's salary for a year.

The sheriff's deputy stated that even if the scribblers are caught (red-handed) when they go through the justice system they do not even get their wrists slapped because they are mostly minors or youth.

Our city, county and state officials need to take a good look at this costly, degrading and growing problem to make changes.

Dick Thurnau

North Highline