Gernandt Has Graffiti Proposal
Paint Sellers Would Post Warnings

POSTED: 9:04 am CDT September 20, 2005
UPDATED: 10:01 am CDT September 20, 2005

OMAHA, Neb. -- The city of Omaha has been cleaning up graffiti for years only to have the same properties tagged again a short time later. Now, one city councilman thinks he has a better plan to fight the graffiti problem: stop the vandals before they even buy the paint.

Councilman Garry Gernandt said it is probably impossible to completely rid the city of graffiti, but he does believe his proposed ordinance will go a long way in getting the problem under control. He proposes a city ordinance under which businesses that sell graffiti materials would have to post signs that say the materials will not be sold to minors. If a business is caught violating the new ordinance, fines would begin at $75 and increase for each offense.

If minors, or anyone, are caught around parks, schools, an underpass or city vehicles with graffiti materials, they could also face fines or jail time.

At Dundee Hardware, managers said they like the proposed ordinance better than ones in the past.

"It's a lot better than some of the alternatives I have seen proposed," said Steve Schrader. "Things such as a case or being locked up would be more difficult for us to implement. We are happy to help with this graffiti issue anyway we can."

The first reading of the new ordinance will be Tuesday. A public hearing would take place next week.

Gernandt said after several wording changes, he feels the proposed ordinance has a chance to pass.