Harbor-district Councilwoman Janice Hahn is urging Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck to assign one patrol officer to handle graffiti in San Pedro and Wilmington.

"The communities are becoming more and more frustrated with the constant markings that deface public and private property," Hahn wrote in a Jan. 26 letter to Beck.

The Harbor Division, Hahn wrote, formerly had an officer assigned specifically for graffiti patrols.

"The 'graffiti car' was very effective in decreasing the amount of graffiti in the community. With the increased vandalism, there has been a renewed call from the community for the return of the dedicated car."

Hahn said that with the recent addition of officers to the Harbor station, she is "hopeful a couple can be assigned to this role."

"I urge you to do whatever you can to bring the graffiti car back to San Pedro and Wilmington," Hahn wrote.