BUENA PARK : Failure to Remove Graffiti to Be Illegal

Residents who fail to remove graffiti from their property can be charged with a misdemeanor under an ordinance given initial approval Monday night by the City Council.

Recommended by Chief of Police Richard M. Tefank, the ordinance requires property owners to clean graffiti from private property 15 days after notification by city officials. Each day beyond the 15-day cutoff period would be considered a new offense.

“In the past we would go out to the private property and remind the owner to remove the graffiti,” Tefank told the council. “However, if the owner didn’t want to do anything about it, there was nothing we could do.”

The plan gives residents two options--remove the graffiti themselves or give the city permission to cover it up.

There is no cost for homeowners who opt to allow the city to do the work. However, the owner must sign a waiver that exempts the city from finding a paint color that is a perfect match to existing paint on the property. It also excuses workers from any damage caused during the removal.

The only stipulation for residents who choose to remove graffiti themselves is that it is done within the 15-day limit.

Currently, the city’s graffiti crew can legally remove the writings from public property such as parks and city street signs. According to a staff report, this makes up about 60% of the existing graffiti in the city.

The anti-graffiti ordinance has already been adopted by the cities of Costa Mesa and San Jose. The Buena Park council is expected to formally adopt the ordinance at its May 20 meeting.