15/02/2008
For immediate release
Mayor welcomes graffiti crackdown
A crackdown on graffiti has been welcomed by Hutt City Mayor David Ogden.
The Government today announced new measures to combat graffiti, including banning sales of spray paint to under
18-year-olds and tougher penalties on taggers.
In addition, a fund of $6m has been established to support councils to establish new or additional anti-tagging
activity.
“Hutt City Council and the community are sick and tired of taggers and the mess they leave behind.
“Graffiti costs the Council $130,000 a year to remove, money that could instead be spent on such things as the city’s
parks and gardens.
"Tagging is not a victimless crime. It's destructive and mean-spirited. Other citizens feel unhappy and shut out from
their own community.
"I believe that tagging is a gateway crime, which if left unattended invites further vandalism and violence.
“I hope the crackdown has the desired effect and we see a reduction in graffiti that means we can all live in a
community which is safer and cleaner.”
The Government's announcement can be found here
ENDS