Driver License Suspension Passed as Graffiti Penalty

The Senate took another swipe at graffiti sprayers Thursday, this time voting to suspend the driver’s license of any youth convicted of vandalizing property with paint or similar substances.

For years, the Legislature has waged a mostly unsuccessful war against vandals armed with spray cans, paint brushes and ink pens.

In a new twist, the Senate passed, 24 to 7, and sent to the Assembly a bill by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) clamping a one-year license suspension on 16- to 21-year-olds convicted of graffiti vandalism. A graffiti conviction for 13- to 16-year-olds would delay issuance of a driver’s license for one year.

Kopp noted that to teen-agers, a driver’s license is perhaps the most important thing in life and that losing it for a year or facing a delay in obtaining it should make youths think twice before defacing property with graffiti.

‘Loud and Clear’

“Society has to say something loud and clear to young people in a language that they understand,” agreed Sen. Dan McCorquodale (D-San Jose).

Another backer, Sen. Nicholas C. Petris (D-Oakland), noted that “youngsters worship their cars. We ought to confiscate their cars and give them back covered with graffiti.”

However, opponents objected that the driving privileges of youngsters have no connection with graffiti vandalism.

Senate Democratic floor leader Barry Keene of Benicia charged that the bill “discriminates against young people because they lack the power to vote” and will lead to cynicism among youth. “Kids will conclude that the rules of society are made by the powerful and are inflicted on the powerless,” he said.