CHICAGO — A Bucktown man who removes graffiti from public areas and serves as an administrator of a popular neighborhood watch Facebook group is being rewarded for his work in the form of a GoFundMe started by one of his friends and neighbors.
Steve Jensen is known for removing graffiti on buildings around Bucktown, among other efforts. Gene Piersen started the online fundraiser to aid Jensen's efforts and reward him for the work he does.
"This is a way to say thanks to Steve for his endless efforts in making Bucktown a great place to live," Pierson wrote on the GoFundMe page.
Jensen has been a Bucktown resident for 35 years and peruses Milwaukee Avenue looking to cover up spray-painted graffiti, he told Northwestern University's student newspaper.
“It’s a huge negative impact to the community,” Jensen said. “It depresses property values. It kind of aids in crime.”
Jensen also serves as the president of the Bucktown Community Organization, a neighborhood group that hosts an annual Garden Walk and helps to weigh in on local development issues.
Jensen's LinkedIn profile lists more of his volunteer experiences.
Neither Pierson nor Jensen could be reached for comment.
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