Fighting Graffiti

November 17, 2011 | Daily Republic
Put down the paint can!
by Kelvin Wade

This week, the Fairfield City Council passed the tough anti-graffiti ordinance proposed last month. It will hold perpetrators (and their parents, if they’re minors) responsible for cleaning up their graffiti. It also prohibits minors from carrying graffiti implements, such as spray paint and markers, in public.

Councilwoman Catherine Moy expressed concern over students who are legitimately carrying felt markers being caught up by the new law. I think it might well work the other way around. Some young taggers may try to skirt the law by carrying art supplies along with their felt-tip markers.

Back in the day, one could enjoy beer and wine in Fairfield parks with picnic lunches. As young adults, my friends and I learned quickly to always bring food along to pretend our beer drinking in Laurel Creek and Allan Witt was just a part of a fun picnic. We didn’t fool police. The fact that our picnic usually consisted of a bag of chips and we were at the park after hours gave us away. Likewise, taggers pretending to be young Picassos aren’t likely to fool Fairfield PD.

The sticking point in the new graffiti law is where the city has the right to clean graffiti from public and private buildings and charge the owner. This would only be done after the owner has been notified a few times and has not complied.

No, it’s not fair. Graffiti victims are victimized twice by the ordinance.

But what is the alternative? Leave the graffiti there? That’s what the taggers want you to do. They want everyone to see their handiwork. The longer it stays up, the more it encourages the vandal to leave his mark in other places.

Unfortunately, most crimes don’t end after the initial violation. If someone breaks your window and steals something from your home, the Crime Victim Fairy doesn’t replace your window and stolen items. You do, either through your insurance or your wallet. When the perpetrator isn’t caught, we suffer again.

Business owners need to be proactive. There are graffiti-resistant paints on the market. Spray-painted graffiti is easily washed off the resistant paint with a spray bottle and sponge. There are also anti-graffiti clear coat barriers. It would be a wise investment for business owners repeatedly targeted by taggers.

Another thing we can do is increase the chances that perpetrators are caught. Business owners should make sure their businesses are well lit at night. They could install security cameras. And almost everyone is walking around with a cellphone with camera, so we can all be on the lookout.

The last thing is when these vandals are apprehended, it would help if the courts ensure wrists aren’t slapped. Graffiti and vandalism aren’t the biggest problems facing Fairfield, but when we apprehend someone for this, let’s make sure we follow through, especially if it’s a minor. We have a chance to steer them away from this nonsense.

Finally, now is a good time to go talk to your teen about this topic. I know no one believes their kids do this, but someone’s kids are doing it. My parents would’ve never believed I’d do it. Better to talk with them now than later, when you just might end up having to write a big check to clean up their foolishness. Peace.