The City of Santa Ana is considering using murals as a graffiti prevention tool, both to cover up existing graffiti and to give artists a creative and legal source of expression. The idea was introduced by Santa Ana City Councilman Ryan Hernandez in a Dec. 21 council meeting as city officials were discussing increased graffiti removal costs. “It’s absolutely important to have graffiti removal, but I see that the future annual costs increased … which indicates a recurring problem,” Hernandez said during the meeting. “This could ultimately just continue to be a waste of taxpayer money if we don’t divert this graffiti. There’s clearly a need; for one reason or another, there’s people that are painting on walls.” Santa Ana planned to spend $1.71 million on graffiti removal services in fiscal year 2021-22, and increase that amount to $2.06 million for the next annual contract. Hernandez then brought up a …