Graffiti bylaw yet to make mark

Mon, September 11, 2006

Soon, however, charges will be laid against stores that do not comply.

By JOE BELANGER, FREE PRESS CITY HALL REPORTER




Four months after London introduced an anti-graffiti bylaw -- the first of its kind in Canada -- the only measure of success appears to be the frustration of young buyers, storekeepers say.

And that's just fine with the city politician who introduced the idea earlier this year.

"That's what you want," said Coun. Bernie MacDonald, who led the push for a bylaw based on similar laws in some American cities.

"The bylaw's there, so now you know who's buying the products and that they're being used legitimately and responsibly."

The bylaw came into force early last May after growing concerns about the effect graffiti left on buildings, sidewalks and mail boxes was having on the city's image, especially among visitors.

The bylaw restricts the sale of spray paint, some markers, paint pens and glass-cutting or etching tools to minors unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

"It hasn't bothered us," said Larry Barker, owner of the Home Hardware on Hamilton Road.

"It just upsets the people who are looking for the products and they have to go back home and bring their parents back with them."

No charges have been laid under the bylaw. The city's enforcement staff has just finished the public education phase of enforcement. Posters are up in most stores.

But full enforcement will come into effect in the coming weeks, said Orest Katolyk, the city's bylaw enforcement manager.

"We're just finishing the education phase and now we're now getting ready to hire student shoppers (16- and 17-year-olds)," Katolyk said.

They will go into stores and try to purchase restricted products. The Middlesex-London Health Unit uses the same tactic to enforce the ban on tobacco sales to minors.

"We have a number of options from warning to charges," Katolyk said.

"But, certainly, if some retailer is just ignoring the bylaw, we may have to get tougher."

Tickets issued carry a $125 fine.

At Staples Business Depot on Wellington Road, manager Frank Dedato said there's "been no drop in sales."

"The law change really hasn't made any difference and the customers all seem to understand," he said.

London business owners, especially in the core area, have long complained about the growing graffiti problem.

Jeanette MacDonald, manager of Mainstreet London, said there's been no noticeable reduction in graffiti.

Mainstreet recently hired a company to clean up graffiti as soon as it appears, she said.

"I don't think the bylaw's done much for us. We have no position, negative or positive. We haven't heard any complaints or kudos."