THOUSAND OAKS : Council Acts to Fight ‘Despicable’ Crimes

Thousand Oaks Mayor Judy Lazar on Wednesday announced a program to fight graffiti, gang violence and hate crimes in the wake of what she called “a rash of highly undesirable and unacceptable activity in this community.”

From gang-related shootings and stabbings to racist slurs sprayed on an African-American minister’s house, Thousand Oaks has suffered through an outbreak of “truly despicable” crimes in the past few weeks, Lazar said.

The City Council early Wednesday unanimously endorsed her recommendation to establish a $5,000 pool to reward residents who provide police with information leading to the arrest of graffiti-sprayers.

The first reward, of $500, will go to anyone who can help police trace the vandals who sprayed swastikas and racial epithets on the front door of a house owned by the Rev. Kenneth Bushnell, a high-ranking Seventh-day Adventist minister.

To strengthen the city’s hand in fighting graffiti, the council also asked city staff to draft an ordinance requiring retailers to lock up all spray cans and large marking pens.

Working with police, the city will try to punish those convicted of tagging by requiring them to remove spray-painted scrawls as part of their sentences. And Lazar promised to write Ventura County judges asking them to suspend the driver’s licenses of those caught scribbling graffiti.

In addition to cracking down on graffiti, the council agreed to beef up educational programs to help residents battle crime. The council will hold a one-hour study session Tuesday to discuss crime prevention tips with sheriff’s deputies.

Meanwhile, a citizens group led by Councilwoman Elois Zeanah is drafting new guidelines to help residents implement Neighborhood Watch, School Watch and Merchant Watch programs.

“The message is clear: Crime is not just a police problem, it’s a community problem,” Zeanah said.