The
lemma Government is launching an initiative to investigate ways to
crack down on illegal graffiti, including photographing graffiti ‘tags’
before painting over them.
Minister for Housing, Matt Brown today
announced a joint partnership between Housing NSW and Redfern Police
for a pilot program to combat illegal graffiti in and around the Marton
Building on Cope Street, Redfern.
The announcement was made in
Waterloo with public housing residents and Superintendent of the local
Police, Mark Walton in attendance.
“Like everyone else, public housing residents deserve to live in a building that is free from graffiti,” Mr Brown said.
“Under
the new partnership, Housing NSW and Redfern Police will pursue anyone
— who is found to be responsible for graffiti attacks on Waterloo’s
Marton Building.
“The public areas of the building will be
inspected regularly for graffiti, any of which will be photographed,
reported to the Police Assistance Line and removed within 48 hours of
identification.
“In the meantime we will let the perpetrators
know that we are onto them via a temporary sticker stating that ‘this
graffiti has been reported and police are investigating’.”
Superintendent, Mr Mark Walton said that a cooperative approach was the best way to beat this “selfish and senseless” behaviour.
Member
for Heffron, Kristina Keneally said the Government was launching the
trial in response to community concerns about the level of graffiti in
Waterloo and the inner city.
“We are launching this initiative to investigate ways to deal with a problem that is simply not acceptable.”
Mr
Brown encouraged local residents to report any illegal activity to the
police. A review of the pilot will be held at the end of June 2008.
State Plan Priority R4: Building Harmonious Communities