County Officials Honor Staff for Graffiti Fight

Chairman Greg Cox recognized key public safety staffers at Tuesday’s board meeting for their role in the graffiti abatement program that took a Grand Golden Watchdog from the Taxpayers Association last week.

“This is a very unique program that was put together by a lot of different people,” Chairman Cox said. “…This is a perfect example of what we as a region can accomplish when we all work together.”

Sheriff Bill Gore and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis also spoke at the meeting to honor their employees, many who have been or were involved in the graffiti program for years and were influential in seeing it adopted by police and public agencies all over the region.

Recognized were:

Undersheriff Ed Prendergast

A “driving force” in Graffiti Tracker being adopted across the Sheriff’s Department and region, Cox said.

Lt. Tony Ray

Who managed the program as it was successfully adopted by the Sheriff’s Department and regional agencies

Lt. Karen Stubkjaer

The current graffiti abatement program manager

Vista Deputy Kevin Johnston

“The most prolific graffiti investigator in San Diego County,” said Chairman Cox.

Keith Spears and George Gonzales

For their work facilitating the contracts that allow the County and the regional agencies to participate in the program

Victor Barr

The deputy district attorney who successfully built and prosecuted multi-count graffiti cases and pushed for more agencies to join Graffiti Tracker so vandals could be prosecuted and ordered to pay restitution, no matter where they left their mark. Cox called him a “bulldog” in going after restitution from vandals.

Jeff Lazar

Deputy district attorney who currently prosecutes multi-count graffiti cases and wins large restitution orders.

Sarah Gordon

Communications officer who wrote the successful Taxpayers Association nomination

See County News Center story about the award and video about Graffiti Tracker