Crackdown on graffiti to involve businesses

By Tony Cook (contact)

Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006 | 7:03 a.m.

The next phase in Clark County's crackdown on graffiti could ask commercial property owners to assume greater responsibility for combating the problem.

And many property owners think it's a great idea.

Although it will place a great burden on them to erase evidence of a crime in which they were the victim, retailers and other nonresidential property owners support the tougher restrictions included in the two proposed county code changes to be introduced at the commission's next meeting on Dec. 5.

Currently, retailers are required to lock up spray paint and commercial property owners are required to remove or paint over graffiti covering an area of 500 square feet or more on walls.

One of the proposed laws would require retailers to post a sign near spray paint displays that warns: "Graffiti is a crime! Spray paint and markers must be locked at all times. If you find this area unlocked, please contact store management immediately."

The other proposal would require nonresidential property owners to clean up graffiti on their walls if it covers 25 square feet or more.

While the changes would make it mandatory for more property owners to clean up after vandals - or pay the county for doing so - retailers are lining up behind the measure, said Lea Lipscomb, a lobbyist for the Retail Association of Nevada.

The organization represents 1,200 retailers, most of them in Clark County.

"We haven't had anyone come forward to protest it," she said. "I think they are excited about the actions that the graffiti abatement team has taken."

In the end, it's better for business, she said.

Since the 500-square-foot requirement hit the books 18 months ago, the county's Public Response Office has sent 300 notices asking property owners to clean up graffiti.

In every case, the property owner has complied voluntarily, said Joe Boteilho, the county's code enforcement chief.

That surprising result has led county officials to propose applying the requirement to graffiti that covers 25 square feet.

A public hearing on the new proposals is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 19.

The proposals are just the latest initiative in the county's efforts to curtail vandalism.

"We are just trying to be creative and think of incremental steps we can take to make it more difficult for the perpetrators and to get the community involved," County Commission Chairman Rory Reid said.

Two weeks ago, Reid and others announced a "Turn-In-A-Tagger" program, under which those who provide police with information that leads to the arrest of a graffiti vandal can collect a reward of up to $500.

Boteilho said the program, run by Crime Stoppers, has produced several tips so far.

The Clark County Juvenile Justice Services also launched a pilot program in May for minors arrested for graffiti-related crime. That program has forced more than 70 minors to participate in court-ordered community service cleaning up graffiti.

As part of last year's budget, the county also added 2 1/2 positions to the team that paints over graffiti, bringing the staff total to six.