Tuesday, May 8, 2007
SOUTH PORTLAND - City councilors have seen enough of the writing on the walls.
They voted 7-0 Monday night to adopt an aggressive anti-graffiti ordinance, which singles out minors for special enforcement and is believed to be the first of its kind in Maine.
"This will provide the police department with a tool they need to go out and immediately start to enforce graffiti" violations, said City Manager Ted Jankowski.
The law goes into effect today. It calls for fines and other penalties against minors seen on public property in possession of spray paint, paint sticks, broad-tipped markers or other graffiti implements. In some cases, young people under 18 can be fined if they have those tools on private property without permission.
The ordinance also allows fines against shops that sell graffiti implements to minors.
The fine for a first offense is up to $250 and rises to $500 for subsequent offenses, plus the cost of removing the graffiti.
Adults who are caught drawing illegal graffiti also are subject to the new fines, but they cannot be punished simply for possession of graffiti implements.
A similar anti-graffiti law was proposed in the state Legislature in 2005, but it failed.
The ordinance essentially gives authorities preemptive power in the fight against graffiti vandalism. Under state law, police officers can only charge people who are caught in the act.
"This allows us to take action," said Police Chief Ed Googins, "without the damage being done."
Councilors also voted to set aside up to $10,000 to upgrade police surveillance cameras, or possibly buy new ones. New software will allow the cameras to take clear video at night, at rotating locations, as part of the effort to crack down on vandalism. The cameras were originally purchased through Homeland Security grants, and some of the money for the upgrades also might be available through such federal grants, officials said.
The police department has identified graffiti as an increasing problem in the past three years in terms of property damage and visual blight. In response, the city has put together a seven-member graffiti task force that will study the problem in other cities and come up with a comprehensive plan for South Portland.
"This is a first step in a prolonged effort," Jankowski said. "We're trying to move forward as quickly as we can."
Mayor Claude Morgan said information about the new ordinance will be distributed to property owners, possibly in a mailing sent out with tax bills.
No one spoke against the ordinance at a public hearing before the vote. At a gathering of graffiti artists in Portland on Friday, several expressed concerns about the South Portland proposal. They said it could keep young people from pursuing legal graffiti art, which is growing in popularity. Artists often draw on wood canvasses, participate in workshops and use the designated legal wall in Portland's East End.
Gary Crosby, a former legislative and South Portland council candidate who frequently attends public meetings, spoke in support of the measure.
"I hope it cleans up our city," Crosby said. "Driving around, you can tell we need it."
Staff Writer Trevor Maxwell can be contacted at 791-6451 or at: tmaxwell@pressherald.com
Questions/Comments
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Graffiti is destruction of property. Whether or not it's art is not the issue.
I believe this law is based upon the ill-construed concept of "If your not the one doing something illegal who cares?"
Small steps are always the first taken in the wrong direction. Cocaine, Marijuana, and Brass Knuckles have no place in law abiding society. Can we place spray paint on the same level as drugs and weapons? I sure hope not. report abuse
tim ty of portland, OR, I bet you wouldn't do it if they cained your butt!report abuse
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