CARLSBAD — A local group wants to remove graffiti from Carlsbad’s buildings as well as increase penalties for those who sell spray paint to those younger.

CARLSBAD — A local group wants to remove graffiti from Carlsbad’s buildings as well as increase penalties for those who sell spray paint to those younger than 18.

The effort is spearheaded by Richard Van Dyk, chairman of the Graffiti Committee, part of the mayor’s Drug and Gang Task Force.

He and the committee are proposing the City Council make changes to city ordinances to help prevent graffiti.

Among the proposed changes, the committee suggests making the sale of broad-tipped markers and paint sticks illegal to those younger than 18.

The committee also wants signs posted in English and Spanish stating “Graffiti is a crime. The defacing of public or private property is punishable by a fine or imprisonment.”

Signs would also be posted near displays of spray paint stating that the sale of such items to those underage is a crime. Such signs would also be placed at each register, Van Dyk said.

He said his committee is hosting a Graffiti Blitz set for 8 a.m. July 17. Members of the public are welcome to help paint over graffiti on businesses and residences around town, he said.

“Our goal is to remove the graffiti all in one day,” Van Dyk said. “We’re very interested and aggressive in removing graffiti.”

Police Chief Connie Mack Riley said he is concerned about the amount of graffiti he sees when driving around Carlsbad.

“Plain and simple, it’s vandalism,” he said. “Citywide, people are out hundreds of dollars cleaning up what people viciously and maliciously do. It’s nothing more than destruction of private property.”

Riley said he anticipates having officers on the street soon looking for vandals painting graffiti in Carlsbad.

Those found painting graffiti will be arrested and charged with defacing public property or, depending on severity, felony destruction of private property.

Or public property as well, Van Dyk said he discovered the walking path under the Bataan Bridge was covered in graffiti, as well as a nearby tree. He even found graffiti on a picnic table.

Places like the Bataan Bridge are going to be cleaned, but the committee would also like to help homeowners whose fences or homes have been vandalized as well, Van Dyk said.

He said owners of homes with graffiti on them or on their property will be mailed a letter from the committee, along with a permission slip to paint over the vandalism.

Committee member Wanda Welch said if people buy a bucket of paint to ensure the colors will match, the volunteers will gladly provide the manpower.

The committee members are hoping to have enough volunteers so they can split into teams, with each team taking a section of Carlsbad to paint over, she said.

As a real estate agent, Welch said ridding the community of graffiti can have an enormous impact.

“Graffiti affects property values,” she said. “(Removing the graffiti) makes a huge difference to make the town more aesthetically pleasing.”

Welch said prompt removal of graffiti within 24 to 48 hours eventually just wears out the vandals.

“Graffiti is to be seen,” Welch said. “If you leave it up, you accomplish their purpose.”

On the Net:
www. graffitihurts.org