Graffiti vandalism rises despite stiffer penalties
Published: Wednesday, Nov 22, 2006

By DAN JOHNSON
ARGUS-COURIER STAFF

Graffiti vandalism continues to escalate in Petaluma, even though in May the City Council approved a graffiti abatement policy that requires stiffer fines.

“The problem in Petaluma is getting worse, both in terms of gang and non-gang graffiti,” said Lt. Mike Cook of the Petaluma Police Department. “We’re seeing it all over the city, although bridges and freeways are the most common areas.”

California state law and the Petaluma Municipal Code stipulate that misdemeanor penalties can be levied for graffiti vandalism. The new graffiti ordinance, which became effective in June, states that any person under 18 years old caught applying graffiti must pay $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second offense and $1,500 for a third offense. Everyone 18 years old and above needs to pay $1,000 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second offense and $3,000 for a third offense.

This year, 77 incidents — including 47 since July 1 — of non-gang-related graffiti involving damages less than $400 have been recorded and 70 people were arrested for non-gang misdemeanor graffiti vandalism. Nineteen cases — including 12 since July 1 — of gang-related graffiti vandalism with damages less than $400 were reported, and three gang-related misdemeanor arrests were made.

Cook feels that the new ordinance will help to address the graffiti problem, but says that it remains a difficult challenge.

“We make a definite effort to enforce graffiti policies, and make arrests for tagging and gang graffiti. I think the new policy is a good idea, but tagging and graffiti happen so quickly, it is difficult to make arrests for these crimes,” he said.

(Contact Dan Johnson at djohnson@ arguscourier.com)