EVERETT — Help for graffiti victims in Everett soon could be on the way, along with new laws aimed at punishing vandals.
The Everett City Council on Wednesday is expected to introduce a proposed ordinance that would give the city prosecutor more tools to go after graffiti crimes.
“It makes it easier for the city to prove these crimes in municipal court,” Everett Police Department’s attorney Laura Van Slyck said.
A public hearing and final vote on the bill is scheduled for June 4.
If passed, it will make the crime of graffiti a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and or a fine of $5,000.
It would also mirror state laws against possessing motor vehicle theft tools, by outlawing the possession of graffiti tools with the intent to use them to deface property.
Current rules make it difficult for the city to file graffiti charges against someone unless a witness spots them in the act.
The proposed ordinance could also help victims of graffiti crimes.
It allows the use of public money to pay for graffiti removal from private property.
Earlier this year, Mayor Ray Stephanson announced a plan to start a free graffiti removal program to help victimized homeowners clean up their properties.
The initial six- to nine-month pilot program will focus on residential properties and could eventually extend help to commercial and industrial businesses.
It could be under way by early summer.
Experts say a key to deterring more graffiti is promptly removing or painting over the existing graffiti. It is thought that rapid removal discourages vandals who seek an audience.
To encourage swift removal, Marysville and Edmonds have shortened the time in which graffiti must be removed. Property owners who don’t comply can face steep fines.
In March, Snohomish County approved a program that directs county public works staffers to help paint over graffiti for people too poor or feeble to do the work themselves.
Everett’s proposed program would be open to all property owners.
The city is expected to hire a contractor to paint over graffiti and photograph and catalog details about vandalism in a database.
Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com
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