City Newspaper Archives - 4/2008
URBAN LIFE: Getting tough on graffiti
Published by Tim Louis Macaluso on Apr 08, 2008
The city is cracking down on graffiti. Proposed legislation would expand the current law and set up specific areas where graffiti is permitted. And it will allow the city to remove graffiti from private businesses and residential property once a year free of charge, as long as it's on the first floor.
The city currently removes "tagging" from public buildings, but it does not offer assistance to residential and business property owners.
"We hold property owners responsible for removing graffiti from their properties," says Molly Clifford, the city's Neighborhood Empowerment Team director.
Graffiti is on the increase in the city and suburbs, Clifford says.
But at a meeting last week, some City Council members questioned the enforceability of the proposed law. It's difficult to catch people tagging, they said, and most graffiti is committed by minors.
"When a minor is involved, we hold the parents responsible," Clifford says.
The paint and marker ink used is often difficult to remove, and it can signal neighborhood deterioration and gang activity.
City Council is expected to vote on the legislation on Tuesday, April 15.
