ANAHEIM : Graffiti, Smoking Ordinances Advance

The City Council on Tuesday gave tentative approval to a toughened anti-graffiti ordinance, and also finalized an ordinance banning smoking in the seating section at Anaheim Stadium and throughout the Anaheim Arena.

The anti-graffiti ordinance, which is scheduled to receive final approval next week, would make it illegal to carry spray paint, marking pens, etching devices or any other material with the intent of defacing someone else’s property. The maximum penalty would be six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

It would also make parents financially responsible for cleaning up their children’s graffiti, and would require hardware stores and other retailers to store spray paint and marking pens out of the reach of potential shoplifters.

Police Chief Joseph T. Molloy said there are 93 graffiti gangs in the city, 88 more than just two years ago.

“We’re losing the war,” Councilman Frank Feldhaus said. “There’s more and more graffiti everywhere. We just can’t tolerate this. Parents and guardians must be held responsible for all of the vandalism caused by their minors. That’s the key to the whole thing.”

About 130 property owners a week report graffiti damage to the city, an increase of 30% in recent months. Only about 25% of the city’s graffiti gets reported, officials say.

The city spends $250,000 a year on graffiti cleanup and has a large corps of volunteers who devote Saturdays to painting over graffiti.

By adopting the smoking ban--tentative approval was granted last week--Anaheim Stadium joins ballparks in Detroit, Toronto, Baltimore, San Diego, Oakland and Irving, Tex., home of the Dallas Cowboys, as major league facilities that restrict smoking in outdoor seating sections. Smoking will still be permitted on ramps and concourses.

Most indoor arenas, including the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, prohibit smoking or restrict it to the lobby. The Anaheim Arena, which is to open in June, was dubbed “The Pond in Anaheim” this week by Disney, but that name is still unofficial.

The ordinance also prohibits smoking at City Hall, police and fire stations.