Fed up with graffiti vandalism inside the 711-foot San Fernando Valley tunnel on Sherman Way next to the Van Nuys Airport, in July 2009, a dozen surveillance cameras were installed to help police catch violators, and warning signs were posted as a deterrent.

According to Stacy Bellew, spokeswoman for Los Angeles City Councilman Tony Cardenas, “Business leaders, residents and Tony Cardenas’ office raised $30,661 in public and private funds to install the surveillance system.”

Bellews was impressed as the community took this project “into their own hands,” after all, that is a pretty profound statement when businesses, residents and the government all work together toward a common goal. However, after accomplishing such a prolific feat in the name of public safety and putting a stop to graffiti vandalism, the paint has sprayed again…only this time at the airport.

Earlier this week, a Learjet at Van Nuys airport was the victim of some elaborate graffiti that probably wasn’t a short-lived art project for the vandalistic “artist,” since it is costing to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars to remove the plane’s “art work.”

I astonishingly ask, “How did this ‘spray-can, paint-spattering artist’ penetrate the multilayers of security at this airport, the very airport that…”

• Is one of the three airports owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports?
• Ranks as the world’s busiest general aviation airport?
• Is dedicated to noncommercial air travel?
• Averages over 260,000 takeoffs and landings annually?
• Is home to more than 100 businesses?

Wouldn’t you think that maybe, just maybe, the airport police or security, a TSA agent, even a traveler or an employee would have seen this take place or at least noticed something suspicious?

Sources:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/graffiti-cameras.html

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Learjet-Tagged-At-Van-Nuys220119-1.html 

http://www.lawa.org/welcome_VNY.aspx?id=92