News > MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION TO FIGHT GRAFFITI
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 486-05
December 29, 2005
Remarks by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws
“The next three bills before me are all meant to help fight graffiti. Introductory Number 299-A is sponsored by Council Members Monserrate, Vallone, Addabbo, Avella, Gentile, Gerson, Koppell, Martinez, Nelson, Rivera, Sears, Liu, Clarke, Gennaro, Weprin, McMahon, Jackson, Gonzalez, and The Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum. This bill requires all property owners to keep their property free of graffiti.
“Commercial property owners and owners of residential properties of six or more units will face a fine of up to $300 for failure to remove graffiti. These property owners will not face any penalty if they inform the City – through 311 – of the graffiti on their property and sign a waiver allowing the City to clean it.
“Introductory 556-A is sponsored by Council Members Vallone, Brewer, Comrie, Fidler, Gennaro, Gentile, Gerson, Gioia, Gonzalez, Koppell, Liu, Martinez, McMahon, Nelson, Sears, Stewart, Weprin, Oddo, Jackson, and The Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum. This bill increases the age at which it is legal to possess graffiti instruments – such as etching acid, aerosol spray paint cans, and broad-tipped indelible markers – from 18 to 21 years of age.
“The bill also prohibits the possession of graffiti instruments in any public place or motor vehicle when a person possesses them with the intent to make graffiti. Finally, the bill makes it illegal to sell graffiti instruments to anyone under 21 years of age.
“Introductory Number 663 is sponsored by Council Members Katz, Vallone, Oddo, Addabbo, Comrie, Fidler, Foster, Gennaro, Gentile, James, Koppell, Liu, McMahon, Monserrate, Nelson, Stewart, Sears, Gonzalez, Gallagher, Jackson, Weprin, and the Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum.
“This bill replicates State Law and allows for an individual convicted of a graffiti related crime to perform community service in a graffiti removal program as their punishment.
“These three bills are commonsense measures that will help fight graffiti and keep our city clean and beautiful. I want to thank the Police Department, the Law Department the City Council for their work on these bills.”
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