City: Copy Casey on graffiti

By Callan Date
CASEY Council will look to impart its expertise in graffiti management on the State Government by urgently requesting several features of its anti-graffiti policy be included in a new Government Bill.
Councillor Steve Beardon successfully moved a motion at last week’s council meeting calling on the Brumby Government to implement several points in its new its new Graffiti Prevention Bill 2007.
The staunch anti-graffiti campaigner and co-founder of RAGE (Residents Against Graffiti Everywhere) said Casey’s model was ideal.
He said the Government’s Bill needed to recognise that most spray paint used for graffiti is stolen.
“The State Government needs to include in its Graffiti Prevention Bill 2007 specifically that spray paint be restricted from access, education programs be run in primary schools throughout the State and for all councils to implement programs to incorporate graffiti removal off private and commercial property at council cost,” Cr Beardon said.
Council will write to the government requesting:
SPRAY paint be subject to restricted access in locked cabinets or behind the counter in all Victorian retail outlets.
THAT graffiti education programs be run in primary schools throughout the State.
THAT all councils across Victoria implement programs to incorporate graffiti removal from private and commercial property at council cost.
THAT tag databases be utilised in conjunction with Police to identify and apprehend offenders as is done in the City of Casey.
The City of Casey has been praised and won awards for its aggressive graffiti management program since its implementation in 2002.
Local residents and businesses owners can call 1800 VANDAL (1800 826 325) to report graffiti and, in most cases, it will be cleaned up within 24 hours.
Casey mayor Colin Butler said council’s graffiti management plan was groundbreaking.
“Casey’s aggressive approach to tackling graffiti has achieved outstanding results including improved public image of local suburbs, a greater sense of pride in the community and improved perceptions of public safety,” Cr Butler said.