PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Days after 12News reported on the vandalism and graffiti on an artist's mural on the Port Arthur Seawall, police and volunteers came together to make things right.
Armed with fresh paint, rollers and brushes, stroke by stroke, they erased the damage done by vandals on Earth Day, April 22.
Parker's Building Supply donated the paint for the community project.
Community activist Armando Ruiz helped organize the clean-up. He says vandalism won't be tolerated. "Respect other people, and respect their work. and let's beautify Port Arthur," Ruiz told 12News.
Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie shared a similar message with 12News during our initial story last week.
"That's disrespectful, and the disrespect that it is showing is actually something that is a disgrace, and if you're caught doing it you're go be handled," Bartie said.
He offered a simple solution to anyone who wants to paint graffiti. "Get you a building, and tag the hell out of it with your stuff." Bartie also supports adding lighting and surveillance cameras to the Seawall to protect the artwork.
