Graffiti Squad Cleans Up Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park

On Saturday morning, volunteers converged upon the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park to remove graffiti covering a prominent outcropping known locally as Jonah or Whale Rock. 

Armed with the latest techniques involving precise color matching, volunteers painted over most of the graffiti until soaring temperatures brought work to a halt for the day. Despite only having the morning to work, the results are dramatic. Graffiti visible up to a quarter mile away is gone.

Previous efforts to remove graffiti were problematic because it involved the use of a grinder. This technique required hauling a generator into the park and a ranger had to be on hand in case wayward sparks were to cause a fire. In addition, sensitive archaeological features might inadvertently be ground down. These two factors made grinding unsuitable as a strategy for graffiti removal in a State Historic Park.

In true Chatsworth frontier fashion, untrained good samaritans have been conducting clandestine paint-overs in the park. However, the results are visible and provide a fresh canvas for graffiti artists. 

Most noticeable is the use of rust-colored and grey paint - clearly visible and unnatural against the sandstone. Formal training in graffiti removal is therefore recommended and is provided free to the public.