by Tyrone Dalton
A RISE in graffiti attacks in Wallan over the past four months has led police to take a tougher stance on graffiti and anti-social behavior.
Several graffiti tags have made an appearance around the town, with the shopping precinct on the south end of High Street the hardest hit.
The most common tag is “SK”, which police believe to be an abbreviation of “Shire King”.
Graffiti attacks have not been limited to one perpetrator, with tagging and spray-painting also found at the skate park and Hadfield Park.
Offensive words and symbols have also been seen around the area.
Constable Natasha Dimoska said Wallan police are trying to combat the graffiti visible around the town and believe anti-social behavior and underage drinking is also taking place in these areas.
In 2008, the Brumby Government introduced tougher new laws to tackle the increasing graffiti attacks happening across Victoria.
Following the new legislation businesses in the Mitchell Shire signed an official memorandum in accordance with council, declaring to aid in the effort against unlawful graffiti.
Constable Dimoska said there was a no divergence approach when it comes to dealing with graffiti taggers.
“When they’re caught they’ll be arrested and summoned to appear before the Magistrate’s Court,” she said.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Sue Marstaeller expressed her frustration at the justice system’s relaxed approach to dealing with graffiti taggers.
“A slap on the wrist doesn’t help deter taggers,” she said.
Cr Marstaeller said it was important the community be vigilant against graffiti taggers and speak out to break down attitudes.
“It really is about council, community and the police working together,” she said.
Constable Dimoska and Cr Marstaeller said the community could help bring justice to taggers by helping the shire build a case against the perpetrators.
The public can provide details and records of graffiti taggers’ number plates, character profiles and descriptions, and record ‘tags’ of each perpetrator.
The Mitchell Shire Council’s Director of Engineering and Infrastructure, Jeff Saker, said that graffiti is a growing problem in many of the shire’s townships.
The cost of removing graffiti is increasing each year, costing the council thousands of taxpayers’ dollars.
Mitchell Shire Council has spent $25,633 on removing graffiti from public properties and assets since July 2011.
Constable Dimoska said Wallan police was working with council and local businesses to organise surveillance cameras for the shopping precinct.
Cr Marstaeller said this is an initiative that could be considered and she is sure some sort of compensation could potentially be arranged for participating businesses.
Other initiatives to be considered by council have been a graffiti zone in Seymour approved for graffiti ‘artists’ and police officers talking with youth groups.
“We are still working on strategies,” Mayor Marstaeller said.
Wallan police urge residents to contact them immediately if they notice suspicious behavior and graffiti tagging.
