City lays down the law on graffiti



Mar 24 2007

By ANDY HOBBS

The Mirror

Federal Way tagged graffiti offenders with tougher laws while easing up on penalties for affected property owners.

“This is a good first step in making sure we have a sustained effort,” said Deputy Mayor Jim Ferrell regarding the new ordinances passed unanimously by the city council on March 20.

The laws, effective immediately, call for faster cleanup because “graffiti breeds graffiti” and lowers property values when displayed for extended amounts of time, city officials agreed.

“Graffiti sends a subtle message that this is tolerable,” Ferrell said.

With graffiti now classified as a public nuisance, offenders face a mandatory five days in jail upon a second conviction. It is also illegal to possess items like spray paint with the intent to use the materials for graffiti.

The city discarded a proposed $100-per-day fine for property owners who don’t clean up graffiti.

Instead, property owners will have three days to remove the graffiti after notification by the city’s code compliance office. Should property owners not comply or contact the city for abatement, they face a $1 fine plus any court costs, according to the amended ordinance.

“That seems too little,” said council member Eric Faison regarding the penalty. “It seems rather light.”

In response, city attorney Pat Richardson noted additional fees and court costs that result from civil infractions.

City council members also hope to partner with community groups and schools to assist with graffiti cleanup efforts.

These relationships could also spread the word to juveniles — the primary graffiti offenders — about the tougher penalties, said city manager Neal Beets.

Another possible deterrent involves local stores locking up spray paint and graffiti tools in a manner similar to the way pharmacies monitor purchases of some over-the-counter medications.

To provide an outlet for graffifi “artists,” council member Linda Kochmar suggested a wall intended specifically for paintings or murals, referencing an example in Tacoma. She also offered an idea on how punishing graffiti offenders may benefit public cleanup efforts.

“I’d rather see them out with paint brushes,” she said.


Contact Andy Hobbs: editor@fedwaymirror.com or (253) 925-5565.