OXNARD : Council Toughens Anti-Graffiti Law

Private property owners in Oxnard will be required to remove graffiti from their property or face criminal penalties under tough new amendments to the city’s anti-graffiti ordinance approved by the City Council.

The amendments, first proposed by the advisory Anti-Graffiti Task Force, and approved on Tuesday, broaden the scope of the city’s anti-graffiti regulations and clarify some of the rules.

Under the amended ordinance, adults as well as minors will be barred from possessing objects that could be used for graffiti, including spray-paint cans and engraving instruments. Previously, the ordinance prevented only minors from possessing graffiti tools.

The new ordinance also extends the prohibition against the possession of spray-paint cans in parks to include the possession of such objects on any public property or in any public vehicle.

At the same time, the ordinance now gives the courts the flexibility to waive the financial penalties assessed against individuals convicted of graffiti vandalism if the person can prove undue financial hardship.

The fines help pay the city and property owners for the expense of removing the graffiti.

The council passed the measure on a 5-0 vote.