Following an outbreak of graffiti in the city during recent weeks police are asking local stores to lock up their cans of spray paint to keep it out of the hands of kids.

Two weeks ago three teen girls and a boy did $25,000 in damage to the new Myra Green Middle School and the Burnett football stadium next door.

Police chief Uvaldo "Valdo" Zamora said that a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old were jailed at the county lockup and are being held on bonds totaling $40,000 each.

Jamie Lynn Moreno, 17, from La Luz Apartments and Raven Villegas, 18, of North Third and San Franciso were celebrating Moreno's birthday when they decided to deface the new school, said Zamora.

"What may have started out as a prank resulted in their arrests on felony warrants and a stay in county jail," he said, pointing out the fact that the community is tired of destruction or private and public property.

Zamora said that Walmart has voluntarily agreed to lock up their spray paint so that it cannot fall into the hands of teens. State law prohibits the sale of spray paint to minors but because of shoplifting it is not difficult to obtain.

The chief said that other stores in town that sell spray paint will be asked for similar cooperation.

Commissioners discussed vandalism and the city's curfew ordinance at Tuesday's city meeting. All were appreciative of recent announcements of District Attorney Bernard Ammerman that his office will crack down on vandalism with jail time for adults (17, or over) and probation and juvenile detention for minors (under 17).

City attorney William "Bill" Wepfer said, "The D.A. is letting everybody know that vandalism is a serious crime.

Commissioner Yolanda Alexandre suggested getting "tougher on curfew violations and Chief Zamora responded that his officers are picking up kids who are on the streets after curfew.

“Some of these kids have marijuana, cocaine or brass knuckles in their pockets.

"Finally, something is being done," said Commissioner Zeke Cavazos.

"I've got my men working overtime," said Zamora.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

Commissioners voted to start a "Learning for Life" program for youth at the Volunteer Fire Dept. after first checking out liabilty issues with Texas Municipal League. Kids will learn about fire fighting and provide support for the volunteers, such as rolling up hoses and storing equipment.

Last year the city police made 619 traffic stops. Of those 96 led to arrests and 33 had illegal drugs seized. Most people stopped are Hispanic (571) a reflection of the population. There were 44 whites stopped, 4 blacks and 1 Asian, according to the city Racial Profiling Report.

A stop sign will be installed on Ash Lane at Van Eaton near the new Myra Green Middle School on a street that will be used by school buses.

City police have agreed to donate surplus equipment to the new Lyford police department, including fingerprinting kits.

City Manager Eleazar "Yogi" Garcia reported that 62 per cent of the current tax levy has been collected, or $640,608, down from 70 percent at this time last year.

Municipal judge Armin Martinez reported $9,963.51 in fines collected for violations of city ordinances in January.

Commissioners okayed a grant application for the Police Overtime Project to the Governor's Office, Criminal Justice Division.

Finally, it was announced that the new Stripes Convenience Store on East State Hwy. 186 at Expressway 77 will open for business on Saturday.

Also announced were plans of McDonald’s to close their store for three months while a new McDonald’s is built on the same site, across the street from the Stripes Store.