OTTUMWA — Seth Harrington and several juveniles are heavily involved in a cover-up — a graffiti cover-up, that is.

That kind of cover-up doesn’t take a lot of conniving or whispering. See graffiti, cover it up.

During the past month, Harrington has led a group of volunteers from Point of Grace Church, 2501 N. Court St., in painting over graffiti.

Why? No one has painted strange symbols on his garage, shed or house. How did he get involved?

“It was my idea. I’ve been a juvenile prosecutor for more than two years and I noticed the increase in gang-related activities,” he said. “This has the potential to escalate.”

In eastern cities, one of the ways to deal with graffiti is to cover it up. Another way ito help is to fix broken windows, according to Harrington, who is an assistant Wapello County attorney.

“If there’s graffiti on the side of a building, then it looks like nobody cares, and that invites more graffiti,” he said. “Come down on the little things while they’re little.”

Harrington checked with city Health Director Jody Gates about how and where to clean up vandalized property. She helped him with locations and free paint. (Anyone else interested in painting over graffiti should contact Gates at (641) 683-0694.)

Then Harrington asked church members to help him and more people signed up. Last Wednesday evening about 20 Point of Grace volunteers tackled graffiti on some garages along the alleys of Gallstone, Ransom and Clinton streets.

The young attorney is energetic and enthusiastic but that doesn’t mean he’s a veteran at this type of community project.

“I’ve never done this before. I’ve worked with teens before but this summer is the first time with graffiti,” he said.

Harrington and his volunteers were also out the week before. Chris Yeoman participated both times. When asked why anyone would spray paint a stranger’s garage, Yeoman said the vandals “think it’s fun.”

“And, it’s territorial stuff,” Yeoman added.

Shaelin Requena said she thinks the vandals “like to do it” and agreed it’s a way to mark territory.

As he watched them, Harrington said he was amazed how many kids were ready to help.