Ventura Weighs Anti-Graffiti Ordinance

Two weeks after the worst graffiti vandalism spree in Ventura history, the City Council on Monday will consider passing a law that prohibits the sale of spray-paint, markers and glass-etching tools to minors.

Drafting of the law preceded the widespread vandalism along Main Street, which targeted 60 to 80 businesses and homes earlier this month and caused between $10,000 and $20,000 in property damage. But city officials said the recent spate of tagging incidents could influence the council’s decision whether to approve the ordinance.

“It’s become a plague to the city,” Mayor Gregory L. Carson said. “The community doesn’t know it’s as much of a problem because we spend thousands of dollars covering it up in 48 hours.”

The city spends about $55,000 on graffiti removal yearly, officials said.

Police and city staff members said they decided to draft the proposed ordinance after noticing an increase in vandalism since the fall. Two months ago, the council decided to give an extra $30,000 to the graffiti removal program because the rash of vandalism had drained the money set aside this fiscal year for cleanup.

The law, which could take effect as early as July 29, would require businesses that sell spray-paint, large-tipped markers and glass cutters to store the merchandise on locked shelves or behind a counter to prevent shoplifting.

Juveniles and adults would not be allowed to carry such items at public parks, playgrounds, swimming pools or recreational facilities. Adults would be prohibited from selling, lending or giving any of the materials to minors.

“We were really sensitive to the First Amendment issues in writing this,” said Assistant City Atty. Amy Albano, who helped draft the proposed law. “People’s rights are clearly protected. We’re just trying to get to the source of graffiti.”

According to Albano, adults who violate the law can be punished by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. Penalties for juveniles would vary, depending on their past criminal records, she said.

City staff members said they sent letters to businesses that would be affected by the proposed law and personally contacted dozens of stores to tell them about the ordinance.

Jeff Albrent, assistant manager at a branch of Dunn-Edwards Paints, said employees at his store on Main Street have been locking up spray-paint cans since April because of similar laws in other cities.

The cities of Ojai, Fillmore, Thousand Oaks and Oxnard already have such laws in effect, Ventura city officials said. Ventura County and the city of Santa Paula are also looking at ordinances to prohibit the sale of spray-paint and markers to juveniles.

“We have a sign up saying we don’t sell to minors,” Albrent said. “We haven’t had any problems. It’s all in the back now, and that’s always the biggest pain, we’re running to the back.”

Carol Murillo, manager of the Thrifty Drug Store on Thompson Boulevard, said it would not be difficult to comply with the proposed ordinance, which would require city inspectors to periodically check to see if merchants are obeying the law.

“I’m really against graffiti,” Murillo said. “We only sell two or three different kinds of marking pens, and it would be no problem for us to put them behind the photo counter.”

Ventura Police Lt. Michael Tracy predicted that police would emphasize looking for juveniles who have illegal possession of graffiti tools, rather than enforcing the law against businesses.

“We’re hoping for voluntary compliance,” Tracy said. “I don’t see us racing out to cite merchants who aren’t locking up their spray-paint cans.

“It’s a pretty big problem,” he added. “Graffiti is not art. It’s vandalism, and it’s breaking the law.”