Pawtucket, Rhode Island - After a rash of recent graffiti tagging that has blighted buildings in the industrial districts and other neighborhoods, the City's Department of Public Works devised a multi-pronged strategy to identify, track and map graffiti incidents.
 
According to detective Edward Berube, "if it’s not removed quickly, it sends a message that it can fester … . The objective is identifying new graffiti, quickly removing it and using the documentation”

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PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – Legislation in the Rhode Island State Senate proposes to make graffiti a felony. 

According to bill’s sponsor, Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin, “Graffiti is a serious crime that causes damage to property and costs owners hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair. Often it can’t really be fully repaired at all.  But worse, it makes neighborhoods look run-down and uncared for, sending a message to others that it won’t matter if they decide to add more graffiti, litter or blight to the area. Graffiti has a significant indirect effect on the quality of life in addition to the direct physical damage it causes, so it really should be handled seriously.” 

The legislation would make graffiti a felony where there was more than $1,000 of damage.  Repeat offenders would be potentially subject to $1,000 fine, 200 hours of community service, and up to a year in jail. 
 
The legislation would allow the court to order convicted graffiti tagger to pay for the full cost of the damage. 

The guardians of convicted minors could be held responsible for up to $1,000 of restitution for damages. 

“Graffiti shouldn’t be treated lightly. It’s a genuine crime with real victims and high costs. It robs neighborhoods of their quality of life, and those who commit that vandalism should be held responsible for their actions,” said Senator Goodwin. 

More at WPRI.com.