This has been an issue for years in Cambridge. At least to me.

Whether on Mass. Ave., JFK Street or wherever...and I hope not in Harvard Yard. I've even seen it in Cambridge Common.

Even Memorial Drive has several traffic control boxes tagged, for years off and on. The overpass at Brookline Ave. and Mem Dr. has unsightly huge, colorful bubble tags on the brick. Not a nice welcome into Cambridge from the BU Bridge. Yes, I realize these areas are DCR property, not the city.

Yes, I realize some or most don't even notice it, or don't care -- or even consider it welcome "art," especially on a sterile trash bin or "boring" highway wall.

But it's illegal, unsightly and eventually spreads to buildings, benches, subway stations, bus shelters and even statues.

Boston has the 311 app to photograph and report it, and other issues. Cambridge doesn't, right? One has to call City Hall during business hours only?!

I could clean it myself with graffiti remover from Home Depot...but it may smear or damage the surface. But I'm not allowed, as I'd need permission to clean both private and public property.

And it"s not costly to clean small tags on a trash bin, unlike on a brick wall or monument.

In other cities, I've offered to help -- but they just say I'd "get in the way" and they'll have their Public Works clean it (or maybe never even get around to it?).

Don't worry about it? But it's all about the Broken Windows Theory, right? Tackle the small things before they become bigger things.