NEWPORT BEACH : Anti-Graffiti Law Gets Initial Approval

The City Council this week gave preliminary approval to the city’s first anti-graffiti ordinance, which would make it illegal for minors to possess implements used in graffiti vandalism such as spray paint, etching tools and felt-tip markers.

The new law would also give police the authority to arrest adults and minors who are found with graffiti tools in public places such as parks, playgrounds and parking lots. Store owners will be asked to display cans of spray paint and ink markers in locked glass cases.

The council approved the ordinance in concept when it passed a list of routine items during Monday’s meeting. Council members are expected to give final approval to the ordinance at their next meeting Monday.

“Graffiti is a crime, plain and simple,” Police Sgt. Andy Gonis said. “We will be enforcing it with a zero tolerance, but clearly there is some discretion for the police officer” to decide who has a legitimate reason to be carrying a can of spray paint.

The anti-graffiti law, which was drafted by the city’s new gang task force with the help of a city-hired attorney, is modeled on state laws and those in other Orange County cities. It is in response to a recent upsurge of vandalism here.

Police, who recently began tracking gang-related graffiti in the city, took six reports of graffiti during May and 20 in April, Gonis said.

Gonis added that about 90% of the graffiti in Newport Beach is left by taggers or gang members from outside the city. Two months ago the City Council approved a 10 p.m. beach curfew that is intended to curb gang activity and tagging occurring at the beach during the night.