IRVINE : Police to Propose Anti-Graffiti Law

Graffiti in Irvine hasn’t become as severe as in some cities plagued by gangs marking out their turf, but the problem is definitely on the increase, a police investigator told the City Council last week.

“When you go from essentially non-existent to (having) some graffiti, that’s a big increase,” Police Lt. Sam Allevato said.

Stepped up efforts by police against graffiti resulted in the arrest last month of a 17-year-old “tagger” who was writing his stylized moniker throughout the city. And now, police will propose an anti-graffiti ordinance next month, Allevato said.

The proposed law would require property owners to remove graffiti on their structures, would make graffiti writing a city offense and would outlaw the sale of spray paint to those under 18 years old.

Police will bring the proposed law to the council on Sept. 24 for its consideration, Allevato said.

“I really appreciate the swift action by staff,” Councilman Bill Vardoulis said. Last month, the council had asked the Police Department to come up with a comprehensive effort to eradicate graffiti.

Police investigators have recently concentrated on finding graffiti vandals and conducted stakeouts during two weekends last month. Investigations also led to the arrest of the 17-year-old who had been writing “SLUR” throughout the city.

As part of the police anti-graffiti effort, the department formed a Graffiti Task Force last month consisting of city and school district officials. The task force probably will expand soon to include community members, Allevato said.

Vardoulis said the word on increased enforcement seems to be getting out. “I already see a reduction, if not in amount, in intensity,” he said.

Most graffiti has been showing up on large residential block walls, along bicycle trails, on freeway and other underpasses and at public schools, he said.

The proposed law, a response to the council’s policy of combatting graffiti, would require a private property owner to remove graffiti within seven days or a city crew would remove it and and bill the owner, Allevato said. Currently, Irvine has a policy of removing graffiti on public property within 24 hours.

Besides proposing a new law, the Irvine Police Department will be setting up a graffiti hot line to allow residents to report graffiti for removal and possible information on who painted it. The city will consider offering rewards for tips leading to an arrest.

The beefed-up graffiti enforcement effort is expected to increase the city’s cost from about $12,000 a year now budgeted for graffiti removal to about $20,500 a year, Allevato said.