Willmar has been experiencing a growing number of graffiti incidents this year. Willmar law enforcement has 110 reports of property damage, including graffiti, so far this year.
The Willmar Police Chief Jim Kulset has presented a number of options, including three ordinances specifically to address graffiti crime.
The three proposed ordinances would:
- Prohibit possession of spray paint and markers by a juvenile without parental presence or written permission.
- Hold parents civilly and criminally responsible for damage caused by their children.
ADVERTISEMENT
- Require property owners to remove graffiti as soon as is practical.
All three ordinances would serve as valuable tools for city officials and law enforcement.
Already 12 juveniles involving 45 cases have been forwarded by law enforcement to the Kandiyohi County Attorney to be prosecuted under current law. Ten more cases involving one juvenile will be forwarded shortly.
Some juveniles believe graffiti or tagging is "cool" and don't understand the criminality of spray painting damage. Graffiti damages both public and private property and generate addition costs for property owners and the city to remove the illegal graffiti.
Council member Ron Christianson this week questioned the need to pass more laws if the graffiti violators do not face any consequences. He was the only council member voting against the ordinances at the Public Works/Safety Committee.
If the city council members stick their heads in the sand and don't do anything, the graffiti will continue to grow as the graffiti violators grow more embolden and generate further imitators.
When the city's law enforcement asks for assistance through new ordinances to help address the graffiti problem, the city council should give them serious consideration.
If the city council does not assist law enforcement through consideration of these proposed ordinances, we ask council members just what they are going to do to help solve the problem.
ADVERTISEMENT
Willmar needs problem solvers with solutions, not just nay-sayers.
The Willmar City Council should give strong consideration to the proposed anti-graffiti ordinances.
Citizens should also report all graffiti locations to the property owners and city officials.
