OCTA recognizes Orange County Sheriff’s Department for joint effort
August 11, 2010
ORANGE – Orange County Transportation Authority Chairman Jerry Amante recognized Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and members of the Transit Police Services for receiving a Gold Award from the American Public Transportation Association for developing and implementing a program to combat graffiti.
Amante, also the mayor of Tustin, presented Sheriff Hutchens and her deputies the award during the OCTA board meeting on Aug. 9. The award was given by the national association to the Sheriff’s Department and OCTA for creating the Tracking Automated and Graffiti Reporting System (TAGRS).
TAGRS is a web-based program that simplifies the documentation process of graffiti incidents, identification of suspects and acts as a central hub for law enforcement. OCTA has utilized the graffiti-tracking program, at no cost, since its development in 2008.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department conducted a survey of graffiti removal cost within Orange County cities and found that removal costs exceed $5 million annually. This year alone, the TAGRS graffiti tracking program has resulted in the resolution of more than 450 graffiti incidents.
“We’re honored by APTA’s award,” said Jerry Amante OCTA Chairman. “TAGRS is more than just a graffiti tracking system, it allows law enforcement to track gang activity and keeps our communities safer.”
The Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with OCTA have introduced the TAGRS program to more than 25 other law enforcement agencies including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and police departments in Costa Mesa, Irvine, Newport Beach, Fountain Valley, Orange, Tustin and Westminster.
Efforts are under way to continue expanding the program to law enforcement agencies throughout the state. TAGRS also has received awards from the California Association of Counties and the National Association of Counties.
