Vallone Introduces Graffiti Bill

Construction managers would have to keep their workplaces free of graffiti if legislation introduced by Council Member Peter Vallone Jr. is passed. The bill would require developers to remove vandals' graffiti from construction sites or face fines from the city.

"It just seems to be the norm now for these graffiti vandals to hit construction sites," Mr. Vallone said yesterday in an interview. The legislation would amend an earlier law sponsored by Mr. Vallone that requires commercial and residential building owners to either remove graffiti from their property or give the city permission to clean it up. While the city does not charge commercial and residential property owners for the cost of removing graffiti, this new bill would require construction site owners to pay for cleaning services out of their own pockets.

The number of graffiti complaints in the city increased more than 80% between 2006 and 2007 while graffiti-related arrests rose about 28% in the same period, according to police statistics.