LAS VEGAS -- It costs the state $30 million to clean all of the graffiti annually. Dozens of community leaders and volunteers gathered Saturday to celebrate Graffiti Awareness Day and take care of the problem. People picked up some rollers and got proactive, painting over walls and rolling over sidewalks.

“One of the things people don't really understand is that when I go show a property to a potential buyer, I have to pick and choose which way to drive,” said volunteer Neil Schwartz.

Former offenders are also helping with the project as punishment, but Cark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly said that residents and neighbors need to be more proactive.

“This is their way of expressing their form of art,” said Weekly. “That tells me right now that we need to go back to the drawing board and find them another place to display their art.”

Citizens are turning in a lot of these misguided artists. CrimeStoppers reports that in the last six months, it has received 267 tips. These have led to over 100 arrests.

If you want to help out report graffiti, or request a cleanup, call the Southern Nevada Graffiti hotline at 702-455-4509.