Laguna Hills Toughens Up Anti-Graffiti Ordinance : Vandalism: The law is broadened to make it illegal to carry marking pens, spray paint or related tools in public areas of the city.

Anyone in the city’s public areas who carries broad-tipped marking pens, paint sticks, etching tools or other instruments commonly used for graffiti will be breaking the law.

The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to strengthen the city’s anti-graffiti effort by amending an already tough graffiti abatement ordinance adopted in 1992. The law requires prompt removal of the offensive markings and provides rewards for information leading to the arrest of graffiti vandals.

“I think this is one we all like,” said Mayor R. Craig Scott.

The new provision makes it illegal for a person in a city park or recreation area, or on a city sidewalk or right-of-way, to possess a marking pen or implement that has a tip more than a sixteenth of an inch wide and dispenses non-water soluble paint, dye or chalk. Also outlawed will be tools used for etching, such as drill bits, glass cutters, grinding stones, awls and chisels.

Current law already bans spray-paint cans in such areas.

City employees, contractors and other government workers are exempt from the ordinance.

The council has put on hold another amendment that would require local merchants to store spray paint and other graffiti implements in a location out of reach of customers. A similar provision in a San Francisco ordinance is being tested in federal district court.