Cameras Catch Taggers in the Act
Tagger caught on tape by surveillance camera
Surveillance cameras catching taggers in the act are cutting the graffiti problems in Yakima.
One so-called "flash-cam" recently captured this 17 year old spraying graffiti on North Sixth Avenue.
Police say the building had been hit before, so they installed a camera nearby.
Officers used pictures to identify and arrest the suspect.
In some areas of town, the cameras have made a big difference in stopping vandals from coming back.
"I remember the number one hot spot we put that camera up, and graffiti stopped, there wasn't an instance of graffiti there, so they are effective in that, when law enforcement can prevent crime entirely, then we win, the community wins," says Lt. Mike Merryman.
The cameras are motion sensitive, and they warn a tagger they're about to be filmed.
The city has used the cameras since 2005.