The city of North Little Rock is offering a $ 2,000 reward for information about people vandalizing the streets using graffiti.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – For months, commuters and officials in Little Rock were exacerbated by the graffiti that appeared in the city.
And recently, the same graffiti has also landed in North Little Rock.
North Little Rock city mayor Terry Hartwick said he wanted to know who was behind it.
To some people, painting is a work of art, and a way to express themselves, and recently someone has been busy expressing themselves through an act of vandalism.
“He must own a paint store. He probably has more paint than we got,” Hartwick said.
There are various graffiti displays on the cement columns in the underpass on Pike Avenue and 33rd street in North Little Rock.
Mayor Hartwick said they don’t look good and we should try and keep the city clean.
“It’s just something that shouldn’t be there,” Hartwick said.
Graffiti displays have also been busy in the city as they have to continue to cover with spray paint.
“I’ve cleaned it four times [and] I’ve already spent over $ 2,000, ”Hartwick described.
The person behind the graffiti has also reached the extreme to showcase their ‘art.’
“He climbed that pole, stood there, and painted graffiti over it,” Hartwick said.
The mayor’s fear is that one small mistake can quickly turn fatal.
“It’s getting dangerous,” Hartwick said. “He’s going to hurt himself where he’s putting some graffiti.”
The city posted about the graffiti on Tuesday and asked anyone with any information to come forward.
At a recent city council meeting, Mayor Hartwick announced that the city would offer a $ 2,000 reward for anyone with information about the person responsible.
However, Hartwick said there may be some sort of opportunity for the unknown artist.
“Hey, maybe I’ll paint him a mural for us somewhere,” Hartwick added. “Most likely, he’s talented, [so] let’s use his talent elsewhere. “
He also said that he was serious about the recurring issue of graffiti, so he offered a heavy reward for the information.
“I’ll take him to court and what can he do? Community service and maybe help me paint in things he could possibly have done,” Hartwick said.
He also just wants the artist to stop painting things around the city.
“I just think it’s important that we try to keep these places clean [and] when people come to our city we show our best step forward, ”Hartwick added.
If you have any information about graffiti, please call the North Little Rock Mayor’s office at (501) 975-8601.
