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Police seek public’s help to erase graffiti |
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Written by Gerald Gauthier LETHBRIDGE HERALD
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Wednesday, November 25 2009, 9:33 PM |
Lethbridge regional police and city officials are calling on citizens to help ensure vandals don’t leave a lasting mark on the city.
Graffiti problems have increased noticeably in recent months, prompting the appeal for residents to take pictures of graffiti when they find it, report it to police or public works staff and then remove it. Quick removal of graffiti is considered the best deterrent.
“When it’s there, it’s more of an invitation or a reminder that this kind of activity is acceptable, which it certainly isn’t. It’s not artwork, it’s not something we want to see,” said Sgt. Tiffany Housworth.
“We like to keep track of the different types of graffiti that we come across, so that we can compare them and see if there’s a pattern or if different people are responsible for different types of graffiti,” she said.
Elementary schools have been favoured targets this fall for vandals armed with spray paint.
According to police, graffiti can have a negative effect on neighbourhoods. If it’s not removed promptly, it can send a message that residents don’t care about the area, which in turn can attract other forms of crime.
The city allocated $60,000 this year for graffiti removal, but that money has been used up and officials are dipping into next year’s budget to keep up with the problem, said Kevin Jensen, public operations co-ordinator for the City of Lethbridge.
“I may have to go back to (city) council and ask for more,” he said.
Under the Criminal Code, anyone convicted of wilfully damaging property may be sentenced to up to two years in jail. In addition, under local bylaws, vandals can be fined up to $2,500.
Residents are encouraged to do their part to reduce the impact of graffiti by noting the date, time and location it is discovered and providing photos of it for police or public works staff. Anyone who witnesses graffiti in progress should call 911. Otherwise, people can report it via the police complaints line at 403-328-4444.
Anyone who finds graffiti on public property is asked to contact public works staff at 403-320-3850 or report it online at www.lethbridge.ca
/home/Report+a+
Problem.htm.
Residents can also make their property less vulnerable to graffiti by taking any of the following steps:
• restricting access to walls or fences by planting thorny bushes
• enhancing lighting
• applying graffiti-resistant coatings or protectants on exterior walls
• calling police to report suspicious activity.
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