FULLERTON : City Ups Incentive to Report Vandalism

City officials have increased the incentive to report graffiti vandals in an effort to wipe out graffiti all over the city.

Until earlier this month, the city would reward $500 to anyone who gave information leading to the arrest and conviction of vandals who defaced public property.

Now, the $500 reward will be offered also to those who report people vandalizing private property.

Police said they hope more people will be encouraged to report vandals when they see them scribbling on property anywhere throughout the city.

“We realize that graffiti violators do not discriminate as to what property they vandalize,” Police Chief Patrick McKinley said in a press release announcing the new reward.

Norma Navarrette, a resident whose husband received two $500 rewards last year, said she does not believe the reward is enough to persuade other residents to report graffiti vandals.

“Nobody wants to be a snitch,” she said, adding that after her husband, James, was given a $500 reward by the City Council in December, someone vandalized his truck. She called it retaliation and a good reason to keep quiet.

Nevertheless, police said they believe the reward will act as a deterrent to people thinking about committing the crime.

Since the City Council first used the reward program in February, 1993, police said graffiti has dropped.

“The graffiti removal group is working less and less and less,” Sgt. Glenn Deveney said.