The problem of graffiti surfacing on the West Shore has seen a dramatic reduction, according to bylaw enforcement officials from Langford and Colwood.
Despite a couple of recent acts of vandalism at Ruth King elementary and on the Millstream overpass, the number of incidents in Langford has been dropping for the past five years, said City of Langford bylaw officer Paul Lambert. He cited increasing fines from $100 to $500 per graffiti tag as one reason, adding one youth was recently fined $1,500 for three tags in different locations. B次元官网网址淎nother deterrent is our efforts to cover up graffiti as soon as it surfaces,B次元官网网址� he said.
Bylaw officers carry spray that covers the damage until further repairs can be done, if required.
The Millstream overpass tagging was handled by bylaw enforcement officers, who were tipped off by RCMP after police received calls from passing motorists. B次元官网网址淭hey were able to catch them red-handed before the RCMP arrived,B次元官网网址� Lambert said. Langford has added two bylaw officers for 2016 to increase bike and vehicle patrols during the day and night.
Fellow Langford bylaw officer Brad Batter cites regular meetings with police and other agencies throughout the Capital Region and communities up Island as also helping.
B次元官网网址淭he offenders tend to move around,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏road-based information sharing really helps in that regard. Without the proper resources and co-operation between agencies, I think weB次元官网网址檇 be back to where we were years ago.B次元官网网址�
Lorne Fletcher, manager of community safety and enforcement for Langford, said the city took a strong approach to dealing with the problem in 2008. The city took the parents of a prolific young offender to court to recover the cost of extensive graffiti damage in a case that was settled in 2011.
B次元官网网址淲e got calls from across Canada from solicitors representing cities (after the court settlement) asking for details about the case,B次元官网网址� Fletcher said. B次元官网网址淚t was significant, because the parents were held responsible for the actions of their son.B次元官网网址�
The city received $10,000 for damage to public property and $1,000 to repair damage to private property. In addition, terms included a $2,000 donation to the Goldstream Food Bank, 100 hours of community service and an order for the offender to take counselling.
Coun. Lillian Szpak, chair of LangfordB次元官网网址檚 protective services committee, agreed co-operation between agencies is key. B次元官网网址淐ouncil has taken a very proactive approach to dealing with damage to public and private property,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he significant reduction weB次元官网网址檙e seeing indicates weB次元官网网址檙e clearly on the right path.B次元官网网址�
Colwood bylaw officer Phil Williams said graffiti in Colwood is at a five-year low, with an overall reduction of 92 per cent of tags since 2011.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e very pleased with the results. ItB次元官网网址檚 been a watershed year, the first year we havenB次元官网网址檛 had to fine anyone,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪haring of information with other agencies is paramount in reducing the damage from graffiti.B次元官网网址� According to a recent report, the cost of graffiti removal was $5,435 in 2015, compared to $35,000 in 2012. ThatB次元官网网址檚 a significant reduction considering millions of dollars a year are spent battling graffiti throughout the Capital Region, Williams noted.
Colwood ran 20 offenders through its alternate disposition program between 2012 and 2015. The program aims to deter offenders through fines, education and community service, which is typically spent repairing damage or picking up litter. An agreement with BC Hydro provides Colwood with $1,000 a year for graffiti removal supplies. Williams also credits Rona Home and Garden Centre for donating rollers, trays and paint brushes, further reducing costs.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com
