Published: July 09, 2008 11:29 am         

Graffiti incidents reach all-time high

City council considering taking action to combat the vandalism

Incidents of gang graffiti reached an all-time high last month, according to city police.

Meanwhile, the Logansport City Council is considering action to combat the problem, members said.

On average, there was a gang-related spray painting report more than every other day in June, said Logansport Police Department patrolman Travis Yike. There have been about 50 reported incidents so far this year, including 18 each in June and April, and probably many more that were not reported, he said.

Last year, there were just 46 complaints total, although part of this year’s increase may be due to a labeling change in police reports.

The taggings has been showing up on random houses, garages and some businesses.

Graffiti reports spike every year during the summer months, said patrolman Carlos Reynoso. But this year the increase has been larger than normal, and is expected to continue throughout the summer.

Reynoso and Yike are both members of LPD’s new anti-gang task force. The three-member team, which was started in April, has been focused on trying to eliminate gang graffiti. The members, who are all also school resource officers, photograph each painting, try to have it removed as soon as possible and question youth in the area.

“We’re trying to put a stop to it before it becomes a bigger problem,” Reynoso said. “If we don’t do anything about it, it could escalate.”

But police said they can’t fight the graffiti themselves.

Community vigilance is needed, said Yike, adding that residents should call police even if they’re scared of gang retaliation.

Victims should remove the taggings as soon as possible, he said. Leaving the graffiti in place allows the criminal to admire his or her work and encourages rival gangs to paint a counter-message.

In addition to police efforts, members of the Logansport City Council said they are determined to enact legislation to attempt to curtail graffiti.

In May, a sample anti-graffiti ordinance was shown to the council by resident Kado Downs, a member of the Cass County Arts Alliance and Logan’s Landing. Taking the example of ordinances from cities in New York, Illinois, California and other states, Downs suggested council members consider language to limit the sale of graffiti-related materials to minors and also to stiffen penalties for both offenders and their parents or guardians.

At the time, several council members expressed their support for such an ordinance.

But since then, the idea has remained in the council’s public works committee, said member Jeremy Ashcraft, who has been leading the council’s effort.

“I do want to get something rolling on that,” he said.

Members Charlie Hastings and Chuck LaDow also expressed their support for some type of action.

It’s too early to know what specific action the council will take, Ashcraft said. But he added that he wanted to see the vandals held responsible for their work.

“Having been a victim — and I do think victim is an appropriate word — I know I want something done about it,” he said. “Something that protects property owners. If the offenders are caught, they should be responsible.”

Current penalties for criminal mischief, which includes graffiti and vandalism, can include up to one year of probation and a $5,000 fine. Restitution and community service are also commonly included in sentences for offenders, said city attorney Lisa Traylor-Wolff in May. However, she and Police Chief Randy Rozzi have both noted that catching and prosecuting offenders could be difficult.

The issue will “probably show up” on a city council agenda soon, Hastings said.

“There’s been a lot of graffiti going on in the city here lately,” he said. “We need to do something about it because it’s getting worse and worse.”

Brian Rosenthal can be reached at (574) 732-5148, or via e-mail at Brian.Rosenthal@pharostribune.com



Reporting graffiti

Logansport residents can report incidents to the Logansport Police Department’s Graffiti Hotline at (574) 722-8717.