City Discusses Punishing Business Owners Who Don't Clean Up Graffiti

So, how long is too long to leave graffiti on a building for all to see?

Fourteen days? Thirty days?

members gave it some discussion at Monday night's meeting, saying they're tired of seeing business owners drag their feet when it comes to cleaning up their graffiti-tagged buildings.

Council discussed a proposed ordinance that would require business owners to remove the graffiti within a certain amount of time. Some agreed 14 days was plenty of time, while others thought 30 days was more reasonable.

"I think this is absolutely needed," said Councilman Jeff Peters, Ward 2. He shared a his experience with a business owner who, after trying and failing to remove graffiti from his building, said he'd give up and leave it there. "And it's because of that type of attitude that we need some teeth on this."

If the business owner doesn't remove the graffiti within the decided time frame, he could be prosecuted for a first-degree misdemeanor; however, the person who actually commits the vandalism or criminal damaging would typically be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor, which is not as severe.

Councilman Doug Foltz, Ward 1, supported the proposed legislation.

"We're better to have (the graffiti) taken off as soon as we can," he said. "Something gang-related can be dangerous. And it's unsightly and offensive."

Council is expected to introduce the proposed ordinance Monday.