Cameras aid graffiti bust
By JOHN MORGAN
Star-Tribune staff writer Monday, March 12, 2007


Hidden cameras placed in various locations around Casper contributed to the recent arrest of nearly a dozen youth suspected of graffiti vandalism, according to police.

Approximately 11 people have been charged with graffiti vandalism, the first time Casper police have ever made such arrests, Casper police Sgt. Brad Wnuk said last week. He said more are expected to be charged.

Casper Crime Prevention Officer Pete Abrams said police are reluctant to advertise the location of the cameras for fear the devices could lose their effectiveness.

Abrams said the police department has one mobile, closed-circuit television camera that is sometimes placed in areas in lieu of a police officer. He said a camera provides verification and time of an incident, but is not a cure-all or a substitute for alert citizens.
"Police are utilizing surveillance tactics throughout the city," he said, noting that banks have cameras as well as other buildings like the police station, federal building and post office. "I don't want us to publicize where they're at, but there are cameras all over the place."

Abrams said security cameras in the city parking garage on Center Street recently gave police their first break in addressing an ongoing graffiti problem that resulted in more than 300 graffiti reports in 2006.

"It defeats the purpose of having security cameras if you tell people where they're at," said parking garage manager Joe Garnier. He said police don't routinely monitor his cameras, but when he sees something suspicious or illegal, he will send a copy of the tape to police.

"One kid was standing right next to the sign warning about electronic surveillance," Garnier said of the first graffiti incident caught on tape. "He had a spray paint can in his hands."

Installing real and decoy closed-circuit television cameras can be an effective solution to deterring vandalism, but the cameras are expensive, Abrams said. He said he would like to have more city-owned cameras in the future if the city provides them.

Linda Burt, executive director of the ACLU in Wyoming, said she finds the idea of government intrusion to be chilling.

"Courts have found that people have a lower expectation of privacy in public spaces, but there is still a perception that Big Brother is watching you," Burt said. "I have trouble with that whole concept of the public being watched by the government and law enforcement."

Abrams said inexpensive ways to deter graffiti vandalism are to use dark colors on exterior walls, grow vines or plant thorny vegetation by the walls. Quickly painting over or removing graffiti also deters other vandals, he said.

Abrams said police ask the media to not run pictures or describe graffiti because it glorifies the work of the vandals by giving them the fame and attention they seek. Police say graffiti incidents tend to increase after media coverage.

Abrams said if anyone sees someone suspicious in an alleyway, at any time of day, they should immediately call 911 or call Crime Stoppers at 577-8477.

Reporter John Morgan can be reached at (307) 266-0614 or john.morgan@casperstartribune.net.