? A Bronx police precinct is launching a pilot program to rid the borough of unsightly graffiti.

Starting in April, the 49th Precinct plans to closely monitor businesses along Lydig Avenue for vandalism. A community affairs officer says police will then immediately clean up graffiti free of charge to business owners. Critics of the program express concern that the 49th Precinct will be unable to keep up with the volume of vandalism.

Police say businesses should not dismiss the program before it has started.