Winning the battle against graffiti
Article Launched:10/10/2006 05:21:59 PM PDT
AS long as there are juvenile delinquents, walls and cans of spray paint, there will be graffiti. But let's call it what it is - vandalism.

It makes streetscapes ugly, damages property such as transit buses, walls, store windows, etc., and often leads a neighborhood into a downward spiral of property crimes, more serious crimes, lowered property values and sometimes even violent crimes.

We've commented at other times in the year on many local successes from cities and law enforcement in arresting the vandals and cleaning up their handiwork. Montebello continues to pump resources into the fight, for example, with much success. Now, thanks to a bill by Democratic Assemblyman Ron Calderon, who represents Montebello as well as Pico Rivera, Hacienda Heights and parts of Whittier and Downey, there is another tool available to judges and law enforcement that will make future vandals think twice before they spray.

Calderon's AB 2923 increases the suspension of the driver license for a person convicted of spreading graffiti from one year to two years. Also, the bill, which was signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, will delay issuance of a driver license to a minor convicted of vandalism from one year to three years
starting from the date he or she is eligible to drive.
Maybe the convicted "tagger" won't be able to get around to his next job.

That's the good news. However, a very good vandalism-fighting bill by central Valley legislator Bill Maze, R-Visalia, died in appropriations committee this spring. This common sense bill would have required anyone caught vandalizing a park to serve 30hours of community service cleaning that very same park or nearby park. We think that bill needs to come back next session and receive Democratic support instead of torpedoing.

We still believe that cities and law enforcement need more help in fighting graffiti. This issue must stay in the public light, and cities must dedicate resources to eradicating graffiti in their cities. If they already do so, they should monitor their programs to make sure they are winning the war that too often brings down our fine communities.