Crack down on graffiti vandals

The NSW Government is getting tougher on young graffiti offenders in the Hunter with changes to the Young Offenders Regulation and a police blitz at graffiti hotspots.

Minister for the Hunter and Member for Newcastle Jodi McKay said the Government is amending the Young Offenders Regulation and forcing young vandals to either clean up their mess, pay compensation to their victim or undertake a training program.

Traditionally, young offenders in the Hunter who have committed a crime can participate in the Department of Juvenile Justice’s Young Offenders program, which includes removing graffiti,” Ms McKay said.

These amendments take this rehabilitation one-step further by making it compulsory for all graffiti vandals to participate.”

Ms McKay, who was joined today by Local Area Commander Max Mitchell, also announced local police will be stepping up patrols of known graffiti areas and ensuring young offenders take responsibility for their actions.

Graffiti costs the community millions of dollars a year, money which could be better spent on valuable community projects,” Ms McKay said.

RailCorp spends up to $15 million every year wiping out graffiti, while local councils spend an average of $65,000 on clean-up operations.

The community has simply had enough with vandals and we are taking steps to significantly reduce the number of reported graffiti incidents every year.

Vandals must be must be held responsible for their destructive behaviour.”

The latest crackdown on graffiti vandals involves a whole-of-government approach, and includes:

• An overhaul of prevention and clean-up measures;
• A blitz by the Office of Fair Trading to ensure retailers are complying with the new laws on the sale of spray cans; **
• Closer co-operation with local councils to identify new initiatives

Earlier this year the Government prohibited the sale of spray paint to under-18s, imposed fines of $2,200 and six-month jail terms and established the Anti-Graffiti Action team.

Newcastle City Council Lord Mayor, Cr John Tate said Council had undertaken a number of measures to complement the push by the NSW Government.

We recently launched a Graffiti Hotline to make it easy for people to report graffiti and help council direct clean up efforts,” Cr Tate said.

We have also employed a Graffiti Team Leader to drive rapid response efforts, develop protocols for graffiti removal and work with the community to prevent graffiti in our city and suburbs”

Ms McKay said community support is crucial to the success of the state wide campaign.

I would like to encourage anyone who has information on graffiti vandals to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Police Assistance Line on 131 444, 24 hours a day – 7 days a week, Ms McKay said.

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GJman says: Whose time is being wasted with this regressive and futile legislation, masquerading as “government action”? 

The only outcome is a new set of criminals – unwary retailers – and perplexed innocent kids needing hobbyist supplies.

Stifling regulations on this everyday item is just another impediment to doing business in this increasingly miserable State of NSW, one our parents would have ridiculed into the Pacific Ocean, and chased the idiot pollies who dreamt them up.

Ergo:

Arrest after sale of spray paint to teenagers – Wentworthville  - 11 July 2009

An art shop proprietor will face court next month after allegedly selling cans of spray paint to a teenager.

Police from the Parramatta Commuter Crime Unit were patrolling Wentworthville Railway Station when they spoke to three juveniles about transport offences and subsequently found they had a box containing cans of spray paint and aerosol can nozzles.

Inquiries began immediately about where the youths obtained the cans of spray paint.

As a part of those inquiries, police interviewed a 24-year-old Wentworthville art shop proprietor. The 24-year-old man will appear at Parramatta Local Court on 19 August to answer a charge of “sell spray paint can to a person under 18 years of age.” He was charged under the Graffiti Control Act of 2008.

Inquiries into where the youths obtained the other 10 cans of spray point in the box are still continuing.

Well, duh! Where they all get them from .. stolen or black market.