GARDEN GROVE : Graffiti Vandals’ Parents May Face Lien
Parents whose children are convicted of graffiti violations could face a lien on their property to cover the costs of cleanup under a new ordinance the City Council will consider tonight.
The ordinance would allow the city to file a lien if parents do not pay the expense at the city’s request, said Deputy City Manager Mike Fenderson.
Current procedure allows the city to charge parents for the costs of cleanup after a child is convicted of a graffiti violation. But, Fenderson conceded, “we’ve not been real successful” at collecting.
The new law would give the city additional legal clout. The ordinance would allow the city or other public agencies to issue the lien through administrative action, without court approval, if other efforts to recover the money fail, Fenderson said.
There is no limit on the dollar amount the city may recover, but there is a $1,000 ceiling on the administrative fees the city may charge for the cleanup.
The council will make a preliminary decision on the ordinance tonight.
“Any time we get extra laws on the books that give us an enforcement tool, that does have an impact,” Fenderson said. “I can’t tell you it will reduce graffiti by any tangible amount, but every little bit helps.”
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