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Graffiti Vandal Ordered to Clean up Tagging

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – A young Clarence man who is responsible for defacing dozens of City properties has been ordered to serve long hours cleaning up graffiti.

Hartl's well know tag stood for "obvious". He has an extensive list of vandalized property. But unlike other convicted graffiti vandals, Hartl won't spending anytime in jail.

Instead, Erie County Court Judge Michael Pietruszka believes it was better to sentence Hartl to five years probation and 720 hours of community service.

Hartl will begin his community hours November 1, working with the Mayor's Impact team for the newly created graffiti clean up program.

Lt. Sam Lunetta with the Graffiti Hurts Task Force says he was hoping for a stiffer sentence, but believes the judge offered a creative solution.

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