Teens in graffiti round-up

By Bridget Cook
POLICE and the City of Casey have stepped up their fight against vandals following a rise of graffiti attacks in the area in recent months.
The authorities have chosen to speak out about the issues after eight teenagers were arrested last week.
The arrests were made after graffiti attacks on pavilions at Sweeney Reserve and the railway underpass near the freeway caused $20,000 worth of damage.
Police have charged a 19-year-old from Cranbourne North and one from Narre Warren, two 18-year-olds from Berwick, two 16-years-olds from Narre Warren and two 14-year-olds from Berwick.
The youths have been charged and bailed on graffiti offences, with the minors to face the Children’s Court in February and the others to face the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court in April.
Narre Warren Police Station Acting Sergeant Paul Stow said police recently saw a large increase in graffiti in the area and worked with the council’s Graffiti Management Program to gather intelligence and identify offenders.
“The nature of the graffiti experienced in the area has a follow-on effect to the wider community in that it impacts on the perception of public safety and costs the council time, money and effort to eradicate from council assets,” he said.
“We are keen to get the message across that we are aware of the problem and getting on top of the matter.
“While police have made progress in this area, we encourage the ongoing support of the community in contacting the police and the council.”
City of Casey manager of community safety Caroline Bell did not answer the News’ questions about how much graffiti had cost council in the past year, but said in 2010/11 the budgeted cost of graffiti to the city was $418,000 including removal, education, administration and enforcement.
“In 2010/11, 19,501 square metres of graffiti was removed, 748 calls were made to the hotline, 98 education sessions were conducted and 4904 students attended these sessions,” she said.
Ms Bell encouraged residents to continue to be vigilant in helping to eradicate graffiti.
“The Graffiti Management Program includes collaboration between council, police and residents and ensures that all graffiti is removed from all qualifying private properties and council assets,” she said.
“Photographs of graffiti are taken before being removed by council contractors and the images are logged into a database to assist police in the apprehension of graffiti vandals.”
To report graffiti call Casey’s Graffiti Hotline on 1800 VANDAL (1800 826 325).