COUNCIL CONSIDERS GRAFFITI ORDINANCE

Staff Reports, Coolidge Examiner October 04, 2006


The City Council expressed approval of adopting a new law to help police more easily catch suspected vandals who use spray paint, markers or "etching devices" to create graffiti, but rejected a proposed ordinance because it was considered too hard on private property owners who were victims of vandalism.
A draft ordinance was sent back for city staff to work on after council members objected that it had no provision for helping homeowners who could not afford to clean up graffiti on their own.
The rough draft of the ordinance called for making property owners personally responsible for cleaning up graffiti within two weeks. In case of failure to do so, the city would use Public Works or Growth Management staff to cover or remove the graffiti and bill the property owner, with the possibility of a lien.

City Attorney Denis Fitzgibbons suggested the ordinance could be changed to require notice sent to property owners, allowing them to make appeals in cases of hardship.

Councilman Richard Lister said he believed some graffiti should come down the moment it's discovered and not be allowed to sit for a week, when it contains anti-religious, racist or obscene language or symbols.

Police Chief Jim Palmer said the law would help police reduce "tagging" by allowing them to charge persons with possession of graffiti tools even if they had not been caught defacing property.