By DANIELLE GALVIN
OFFENSIVE tagging and unsightly graffiti across Pakenham is being targeted in a new graffiti removal program.
Minister for Crime Prevention Edward O’Donohue presented a specialist graffiti removal system to members of the Cardinia Neighbourhood Watch.
He said it was a “real challenge” in Cardinia Shire and that the relevant groups had to work together to deter, stop and remove graffiti from the community.
“It is a crime that has a detrimental impact on the community,” he said.
“Portable graffiti removal systems are valuable assets in the ongoing fight against graffiti as they help community members remove graffiti as quickly as possible, after it appears.”
The graffiti removal system consists of a 120-litre wheelie bin, a high-pressure water system, graffiti removal products and personal protective equipment.
Mr O’Donohue said he believed it was “very important” that those who took part in the vandalism repaid their debt to the community through the clean-up program.
He said it was great to see the revamped, reinvigorated Neighbourhood Watch group back up and running.
Chair of the group Phil Taylor was appreciative of the State Government, council and police including Inspector Robert Wallace.
“We are doing more initiatives with the council and looking forward to getting down to the ground work and working our way up,” he said.
At a demonstration at the Pakenham Plaza on Friday, Neighbourhood Watch CEO Gillian Metz said they were often very well-connected in the community in driving new programs, particularly related to issues like graffiti.
Bev Langlands from the Pakenham Scout Group said the Scouts were happy to help out as part of the Clean Up Australia Day efforts.
Councillor Jodie Owen said the council would be working with the members of the Neighbourhood Watch for a ‘Clean Up Graffiti Day’ in the shire.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said both the Neighbourhood Watch and other community members would be able to use the systems to help rid the streets of unsightly graffiti.
>>>>>>Side bar<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< THE City of Casey has called on the State Government to work with the council to take action on the rise of graffiti tags on freeway and rail overpasses. Springfield Ward Councillor Sam Aziz said the council was frustrated by the lack of action and would like to see the graffiti removed swiftly. "In recent weeks, more and more graffiti tags have appeared on the sound walls and overpasses along the Monash Freeway and on the rail overpass at Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road - this is completely unacceptable," he said. "Council is prepared to remove graffiti from these assets on a cost recovery basis if permission is received from these state authorities." Cr Aziz said the council took a zero tolerance approach to graffiti. "Council removes all graffiti from all qualifying privately-owned residential, commercial and industrial properties at no cost to the property owner," he said. "In most cases, the graffiti is removed within one working day, and within four hours for offensive graffiti."
