Graffiti becomes an increasing problem

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - The city of San Marcos hopes to wipe away graffiti. In an effort to beautify San Marcos, city council has purchased a machine that will blast graffiti off of walls of buildings and sidewalks around town. The $32,000 "soda blaster" is environmentally friendly and uses baking soda mixed with air or water and some serious pressure to blast away unsightly paint.

Officer Daniel Arredondo of the San Marcos Police Department demonstrated to the media how the machine works. “Like any other community, it still exists and for that reason, because of the quality of life that we want to represent here, we want to knock it down immediately.

Penalties for graffiti are based on the damage done and can get up to fines of $4,000 and up to a year in prison for serious offenses. State law prohibits making markings with any permanency, including aerosol paint or indelible markers.