Calgary agencies crackdown on graffiti

Charges have been laid in connection to the vandalism of a Calgary war memorial earlier this year.

The new soldiers memorial in the 1100 block of Memorial Drive N.W. was defaced with graffiti sometime between late August and early September.

An 18-year-old man has now been charged with 23 counts of mischief under the Criminal Code, police said.

The arrest comes as thecitys bylaw services department has teamed up with police and Calgary Transit to crackdown on vandalism in the community, officials said.

Theyve launched a Joint Graffiti Investigation Team and a website, GraffitiFreeCalgary.ca. The site has information about graffiti vandalism, tips on what to do when it appears and what parents can do if they think their children are involved.

Police have released security camera pictures and videosof several suspects whom they believe are the most prolific offenders.

In 2009, Calgary Transit spent over $3 million to clean up graffiti on trains, buses and in stations, the city said.