Council Tables Graffiti Ordinance that Would Crack Down on Dawdling Business Owners

Business owners whose buildings get tagged with graffiti can breathe a sign of relief — for now.

North Canton City Council has decided to table an ordinance that would slap the wrists of business owners who don't clean up graffiti in a timely manner.  about whether the time frame should be two weeks or a month and what the penalty should be (as written, it was a first-degree misdemeanor, while the act of vandalism or criminal damaging is often a less severe second-degree misdemeanor).

Doug Lane, president of the , spoke about the proposed ordinance at the North Canton City Council meeting Monday night. He said it can be difficult for business owners to remove graffiti because of inclement weather and securing someone to remove the graffiti.

"You could be anywhere from seven to eight weeks to get your building cleaned up," Lane said.

Here's what some of our viewers had to say after the June 18 meeting:

• Ken Palosi: "The graffiti problem won't go away by punishing the victims of a crime."

• Karen Cain: " ... the graffiti should be removed asap from the businesses and their properties. It's a matter of pride."

• Katie Miller: "I understand the city can't entice families or businesses to move here with graffiti on buildings. We can entice them with a sense of community and service towards each other. What about a city that provided business owners with cleaner/brushes to remove the graffiti? Don't kick people while they are down (or victimized)."

Councilman-at-large Dan Griffith moved to table the proposed ordinance, and council members unanimously agreed.