2007 graffiti summit summary - venturacog.org
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2007 Graffiti Summit
Summary
December 5, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Summit Agenda……………………………………………………………………….. 3 Overview of Summit……………………………………………………………………6 Presentations by City of Oxnard …..……………………………………………… 10 Presentations by City of Camarillo ………………………………………………… 15 Presentation by City of Simi Valley ………………………………………………… 21 Presentation by Ventura County Superior Court …………………………………. 24 Presentation by Ventura County District Attorney’s Office ……………………… 26
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970 Ventura StreetSanta Paula, CA 93060
GRAFFITI SUMMIT 2007
Camarillo Public Library Community Room 4101 Las Posas Rd. Camarillo, CA 93012
December 5, 2007 8:30 a.m. – 12 Noon
I. WELCOME, SUMMIT GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES 5 minutes
Hon. Carl Morehouse, Councilmember, City of Ventura, VCOG Chairman II. SELF-INTRODUCTIONS 5 minutes III. GRAFFITI IN VENTURA COUNTY 5 minutes
Characteristics, locations, and perpetrators; impacts; identified trends; general strategies to address graffiti
Cyndi Hookstra, Graffiti Task Force Administrator, City of Oxnard
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970 Ventura StreetSanta Paula, CA 93060
IV. LOCAL GRAFFITI PROGRAMS 75 minutes
A. Municipal Best Practices
Camarillo Sr. Deputy Jason Hendren, Camarillo Police Department
Fillmore Joe Zuniga, Public Works Director
Moorpark David Lasher, Sr. Management Analyst, Community
Development Department
Ojai Mike Culver, Acting Director of Public Works, Ruben Martinez, Maintenance Supervisor
Oxnard Dr. Thomas Holden, Mayor, Graffiti Task Force Chair, Hon.
Timothy Flynn, Councilmember, Graffiti Task Force Vice Chair, R. Jason Benites, Assistant Chief of Police, Cyndi Hookstra, Graffiti Task Force Administrator
Port Hueneme Joseph Gately, Director of Housing and Facilities
San Buenaventura Chris Palmieri, Public Works Supervisor
Corporal Al Gomez, Ventura Police Department
Santa Paula Sgt. Ismael Cordero, Officer Richard Mendez Santa Paula Police Department
Simi Valley Lieutenant Gregory Riegert
Simi Valley Police Department
Thousand Oaks Hans Faber, Landscape Supervisor
10 minute break
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970 Ventura StreetSanta Paula, CA 93060
B. Law enforcement 50 minutes
Ventura County Superior Court Judge Manuel Covarrubias Juvenile Court Judge
Ventura County District Attorney Chief Assist. D. A. James Ellison
Deputy D. A. Robert S. Denton
Ventura County Probation Department Sr. DPO Don Burton
V. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION 55 minutes
Wally Bobkiewicz, City Manager, City of Santa Paula, VCOG Interim Executive Director, Moderator
Successful strategies
Gaps in programs
Where do we need/want to focus—individually/jointly?
Possibilities for program/strategy coordination and cooperation
Implementation, requirements
Possible long/short – term goals/steps, innovations and retreats
Immediate Steps and Summit Follow- up
VI. CLOSING REMARKS 5 minutes
Hon. Carl Morehouse
The Ventura Council of Governments (VCOG) sponsored Graffiti Summit 2007.
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The Ventura Council of Governments sponsored Graffiti Summit 2007, the first
meeting of its kind in Ventura County, on December 5 at the Camarillo Public Library.
The Summit featured invited speakers from the 10 Ventura County cities and local law
enforcement, the Ventura County Superior Courts, the D. A.’s Office, and the County
Probation Department.
Among the 75+ attendees were staff and interested parties from the Ventura
County Transportation Commission, Caltrans, the Moorpark School District, the Pleasant
Valley Recreation and Parks, Southern California Edison, the County of Santa Barbara,
the Moorpark Graffiti Coalition, the Community Action Partnership, VPD – VIPs, and the
Ventura County WPD.
Private graffiti abatement companies in attendance included: Crime Point; Crime
Stoppers; Glass Scratch Removal; Protectol; and Urban Restoration Group.
Hon. Carl Morehouse, Councilmember, City of Ventura, kicked - off the event,
calling it a call to action to local jurisdictions to cooperate and coordinate their
programs. He noted that one of the Summit’s objectives was to consider developing a
countywide graffiti ordinance.
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Graffiti in Ventura County
Cyndi Hookstra, Oxnard Graffiti Task Force Administrator briefly discussed the
changes in graffiti in Ventura County and the associated impacts on local governments.
Local Programs
Invited speakers discussed their programs’ staffing; technologies and equipment,
companies employed; budgets, and graffiti incidents, and best practices. Exhibit 1
provides a summary of Ventura County graffiti trends, program approaches, best
practices, issues, and recommendations. See Exhibits 2 – 8 for power point
presentations made by staff of the cities of Camarillo, Simi Valley, Oxnard, and Ventura;
the D. A.’s office, the Ventura County Superior Court, and the Camarillo Police
Department.
Strategies and practices
Smaller cities noted more modest budgets and simpler tools (e.g., hotlines and
photo documentation), while larger jurisdictions and agencies indicated budgets of
$250,000 or more and demonstrated their programs use of video surveillance, and
computerized graffiti tracking, reporting, and identification.
Camarillo, Oxnard, Simi Valley, and Ventura were cited as leaders in graffiti
abatement. MySpace was cited as an effective innovative strategy to identify taggers.
The “Parent Project,” a 10-week class was discussed as an example of a highly effective
intervention program. Staff of the Sheriff’s Department mentioned that a common
camera system is being established. Conferees learned about cities that require the
application of graffiti-resistant coatings to protect buildings at the time of construction.
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A vendor mentioned that inexpensive, fake video cameras are being installed to deter
vandals. Future law enforcement goals include maintaining the same level of
cooperation among law enforcement agencies in the county, and doing more to provide
information on the impact of graffiti on victims and the community.
Roundtable Discussion
Wally Bobkiewicz, VCOG Interim Executive Director and City Manager, City of
Santa Paula concluded the “Best Practices” technical portion of the Summit with a
roundtable discussion on what the participants wanted to pursue after the Summit.
Consensus Points
1. Caltrans and the railroads should participate in graffiti abatement.
2. Graffiti programs should include prevention strategies, identification of at-risk youth,
involve the school districts and school curriculum.
3. The cities should begin discussions of sharing graffiti abatement strategies,
resources.
4. Newer technologies should be incorporated into graffiti abatement programs.
5. The cities should use collective political power and engage legislators and senators
and at the federal level.
6. VCOG will set up a follow-up meeting with principals of each city to discuss best
practices and strategies, and to put together a model countywide graffiti ordinance.
Closing Remarks
Hon. Carl Morehouse emphasized that VCOG has been in existence for 15 years
and can coordinate and advance region-wide issues.
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Draft RECAP OF GRAFFITI SUMMIT 2007 December 14, 2007
GRAFFITI TRENDS AND CHARACTERISTICS
GRAFFITI PROGRAM APPROACHES
GRAFFITI PROGRAM BEST PRACTICES GRAFFITI PROGRAM ISSUES
ROUNDTABLE RECOMMENDATIONS
Costs are rising costs: monetary and quality of life
Attitudes: need for passion, to get angry about the problem
Communication and collaboration. Consistent practice among cities.
Need for courts, probation institutions to work with VCOG, policy makers, and other institutions
Cost sharing based on size, county-wide tracking and training resources. Web-based?
Significant increases number of incidents
Community oriented and collaborative
Share knowledge with allied agencies - County Task Force
Legal aspects of getting things cleared up, lighting railroad trestles, and need for assistance and ideas on where to apply pressure.
Work with Caltrans, railroads, VCTC
Graffiti becoming more violent Reactive and proactive programs
Law enforcement - Street Terrorism & Enforcement Prevention Act (STEP) (186.22), VC Graffiti Task Force
Variety/consistency in mechanisms to address graffiti: graffiti ordinances, administrative citations, municipal code Model ordinances, fines
Involves gangs, non-gang members
Strategies: prevention, intervention, investigation, enforcement, punishment
Immediate clean-up. Surveillance. Chemicals and coatings
Need agenda at the state level, collective political power
"Tagger of the Week", Ventura Star Program, City Core Program
More “oners.” Schools and education
Outreach and Education programs, “Graffiti is everyone’s problem”
Financial responsibility of parents to age 18
Prevention models, Education, I.d. AAt-risk families
Includes bored youth from middle class and youth from at-risk families
High-tech and low-tech strategies, monitoring, inspections, tracking
Stakeholder involvement, including neighborhood groups, courts, probation, youth (e.g., Cal State Channel Islands “G.A.K. Buckets, TARP)
Legislation at federal level – fines, fees, tax intercept
Inexpensive, fake video cameras, infrared cameras, dedicated lines, common camera systems, emerging and wired technologies
"Shoefitti"Graffiti ordinances and other municipal code
Automated tracking and reporting, MySpace pages Model ordinance
Reallocate resources around public safety
Social assessments of family, mentoring, parenting classes
Parent education programs, victim awareness Limited resources
Coatings applied at construction to protect buildings.
Victim awareness
Prevention: most effective and quicker in fight against graffiti if residents use it themselves with the right paint
Variety/consistency in mechanisms to address graffiti: graffiti ordinances, administrative citations, municipal code
VCOG to follow-up with principals of each jurisdiction
Probation, wardship, misdemeanors, felonies
Ventura county Probation Agency Graffiti Offender Class
Schools and education - curriculum treated as partners
Business compliance with code
Communication with CalTRANS,Metrolink, Amtrak, and other stakeholders.
Outreach - make efforts more visible in community9
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• Decreases property values.
• Absorbs tax payer dollars.
• Creates blight in neighborhoods.
• Attracts other forms of criminal activity.
Consequences to the CommunityConsequences to the Community
• According to the Department of Justice, offenders are typically young males ranging in age from 15 to 23. Statistically, of that group the majority are 16 years of age and younger.
• Young females are typically associates of their male counterparts. However, their participation in this crime is growing.
Who they are?Who they are?
• Relief from boredom• Peer pressure• Lack of adult supervision• Notoriety• Claiming territory• Gang or tagging crew affiliation
Motives for Graffiti VandalismMotives for Graffiti Vandalism
• Timely reporting and rapid removal.
• Enforce existing state laws and municipal ordinances.
• Update and strengthen municipal codes and ordinances to increase accountability and punishments.
General Eradication StrategiesGeneral Eradication Strategies
• Structure a cost based restitution program.
• Mandatory community service hours.
• Involve the community in the eradication efforts.
Eradication Strategies con’tEradication Strategies con’t
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• City Manager’s Office• City Attorney’s Office• Police Department• Graffiti Action Program (GAP)• Code Compliance Division• Various Divisions of Public Works
Graffiti Task Force ResourcesGraffiti Task Force Resources
• Prevention
• Intervention
• Enforcement
Key Program ComponentsKey Program Components• Outreach & Education Programs.
• Graffiti Action Kits (GAKs)/Volunteers.
• Make the schools a partner in the battle.
• Graffiti Removal – Graffiti Action Program (GAP)
PreventionPrevention
• Mandatory Community Service hours.
• Neighborhood Cleanups.
• Ventura County Probation Agency Graffiti Offender Class Presentation.
• Develop a restitution recovery program.
InterventionIntervention
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Enforcement strategies
Jason BenitesAssistant Police Chief
Investigative Services Bureau
Oxnard Police Department
(805) 385-7626
Oxnard’s Experience
Graffiti-related service calls to Oxnard Police
1,190 (2006) 966 (2007 YTD)
YTD Arrests for Tagging Offenses
Patrol Officer Involved: 209
By Graffiti Detectives: 113
Oxnard’s Experience
Approximate # of Tagging Crews: 348
Gang Members Involved in Tagging: 350
Street Gangs: 14
ONERS: 688 known
Tagging Crew Members: Estimated 3,000
Tagging Crews and GangsAligning themselves with street gangs
Arming themselves (knives, bats, guns)
Tagging crew vs. tagging crew
3 tagger – involved homicides since 2005
Police Department Resources
2 Graffiti Investigators:
1 Senior Police Officer
1 Police Officer II
1 Community Service Officer (CSO)
1 Part-time employee
Assigned to the Investigative Services Bureau’s
Violent Crimes Investigations Unit (VCU)
Law Enforcement Strategy
Multi-faceted
Not limited to conventional enforcement
Collaboration with stakeholders
Community Oriented Policing
Balance between arrests and civil citations
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Law Enforcement Strategy• Awareness of trends
• Geographic hot spots
• Investigator response
• Gather intelligence
• Special operations
• STEP Act (186.22 PC)
• Share knowledge with allied agencies (County Task Force)
Law Enforcement Strategy• Business Community
• Compliance with municipal codes
• CPTED and voluntary compliance
• Community Outreach
• Presentations
• Community activity (cleanups, etc.)
• Oxnard Graffiti Task Force
• Civil Citations
7-82 OXO: Graffiti Prohibited
No person shall willfully or maliciously use any liquid substance, graffiti implement, chalk, dye, or similar substance to place graffiti on any public or private property located within the city.
7-86 OXO: Graffiti Implements
(a) No person shall possess any graffiti implement while in or on any public property or vehicle, except an on-duty authorized employee of the city, or an on-duty authorized employee of an individual or company under contract with the city.
7-87 OXO: Sale of Graffiti Implements to Minors Prohibited
No person shall sell, exchange, give, loan, cause or permit to be sold, exchanged, given, or loaned, any graffiti implement to a minor unless such minor is accompanied by a responsible adult.
Administrative Citations
• Restorative method for the community
• Offender cited with administrative citation ($1K)
• Deft. entitled to an administrative hearing
• Third party hearing officer issues written ruling
• Violation sustained = citation processed
• Parents of minors can be held responsible
• In 2007, 813 administrative citations related to graffiti have been issued
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Best Practices Recognize:
ENFORCEMENT IS ONLY ONE PART OF THE SOLUTION
GRAFFITI IS EVERYONE’S PROBLEM!
CONSISTENT PRACTICES AMONG CITIES
COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION
DA
Courts
CommunityResidents
VictimsNeighborhood Groups
And HOA’s
City Corps
GAP
Police
VolunteersProbation
GRAFFITI
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G r a f f i t i Types of GraffitiTypes of Graffiti
Tagging Crew
Gang
Oner’s
Hate
Tagging Crews
Approximately 100 tagging crews identified in Ventura County.20 identified tagging crews working in the Camarillo area. Most are coming to Camarillo to attend schools or visit tagging hot spots.9 tagging crews have members living in the Camarillo area.
Tagging in rural areas of Camarillo
Tagging in rural areas of Camarillo Tagging in Camarillo
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Tagging in Camarillo Gang Graffiti
Gang graffiti found in Camarillo and surrounding area.
Barry Street Gang
Colonia Chiques Gang
Santa Paula 12 Street Locos Gang
Gang Graffiti Hate Crime Graffiti
Motivated by prejudice and hatred.
* Least common form of graffiti.
The Tools
Aerosol / Spray Paint
Markers
Etching devices
Acids
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What to look for. . . . Broken Windows Theory
Graffiti and vandalism impact community fears of crime and crime itself. The 'broken windows' theory, developed in the United States, proposes that if a broken window is left and not repaired, other windows will soon be broken. The message this gives to both offenders and residents is that no one cares. Consequently offenders are not deterred from committing similar acts again, and a perceived rise in crime becomes a reality.
Examples Dealing With The Problem
Reduce opportunities for vandalsIncrease difficulty for offenders to vandalizeIncrease the risk of detectionClean up vandalized property within 24 to 48 hoursReport incidents to the Sheriff’s Department
Important Telephone Numbers
911 - In Progress Crimes
654-9511 – Camarillo Police / Sheriff Dispatch
388-5100 – Camarillo Police Department 383-4800 – Camarillo Graffiti Investigator388-5338 – City Public Works / Graffiti Removal383-5660 – Code Enforcement/Graffiti Private Property
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Camarillo Police Department
Graffiti Investigations
Tagging Crews
Approximately 300 tagging crews identified in Ventura County.
Approximately 20 tagging crews identified tagging in the Camarillo area on a regular basis.
Recent Trends in Graffiti
Tagging Crews are becoming more violentLoyal to the crew – will fight to defend its honorInitiation – sponsorship by a member, commit criminal acts and jump insCross out rival crews graffiti / create conflictsCarrying weapons – firearms, knives, bats, etc.
Tagging Crew members are seldom using monikers, making it difficult for investigators
Addressing the Problem
City Streets Division cleans graffiti on city property.City Code Enforcement notifies property owners of their responsibility to clean-up graffiti.Pleasant Valley Recreation and Parks District cleans graffiti on park property.Citizen’s Patrol photographs graffiti makes proper notifications for clean-up.Volunteers input information into tracking system for graffiti investigatorPatrol deputies generate police reports for graffiti related calls for service.Graffiti investigator investigates all graffiti cases received by all entities
Enforcement Tactics Implemented in 2007
Investigative Search WarrantsCovert Surveillance OperationsProbation OperationsUtilization of School ResourcesUtilization of Citizen VolunteersDeveloped working relationships with other law enforcement agencies including Oxnard PD, Ventura PD, Santa Paula PD, Simi Valley PD, other Sheriff’s Department jurisdictions, Probation Agency and the District Attorney’s Office.
Tracking Graffiti
Photograph graffiti
LocationDate TimeWho Took Photograph
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Tracking Graffiti
All incidents of graffiti are tracked. Police Reports are kept in case files and are entered into a Microsoft Access DatabaseInformation from the photographs taken by city personnel, citizen patrol or any other person are entered into a Microsoft Access Database
Graffiti photographs are categorized by moniker, by crew or by both moniker and crew and stored on computer hard drive.
Microsoft Access Tracking Database
Broken Windows Theory
Graffiti and vandalism impact community fears of crime and crime itself. The 'broken windows' theory, developed in the United States, proposes that if a broken window is left and not repaired, other windows will soon be broken. The message this gives to both offenders and residents is that no one cares. Consequently offenders are not deterred from committing similar acts again, and a perceived rise in crime becomes a reality.
Examples Statistical Comparison
January – June 2006
Felony Cases 19Felony Arrests 7Misd. Cases 86Misd. Arrests 44
Total Crimes 105Total Arrests 51City Cleaning $30,924
January – June 2007
Felony Cases 48Felony Arrests 44Misd. Cases 132Misd. Arrests 50
Total Crimes 180Total Arrests 94City Cleaning $25,103
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Statistical Key Points
75% Increase in overall crime reports for time period
2006 37% of Felony graffiti crimes were solved2007 92% of Felony graffiti crimes were solved
2006 51% of Misd graffiti crimes were solved2007 38% of Misd graffiti crimes were solved
2006 49% of overall graffiti crimes were solved2007 52% of overall graffiti crimes were solved
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Mayor Pro Tem Michelle S. Foster
Council MemberGlen T. Becerra
Council MemberBarbra Williamson
Council Member Steven T. Sojka
MayorPaul Miller
Extent of the problem
Enforcement & prosecution posture
Graffiti removal program
Direct costs to the City
Prevention
Possible future solutions…
41.7 Square Miles
Population of 125,741
Graffiti incidents 25% gang and 75% tagger
Gang has less incidents, higher square footage
Tagger graffiti consists of paint, markers, etching, and slap tags
Year 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007Total Incidents 657 1,157 2,253 4,038 3,661 2,753 2,234 1,562 1,104 1,577 1,028 768 526 674 639 856 2,388 3,089
Comparison of Annual Graffiti Incidents (1990-2007Projected)
657
1,157
2,253
4,038
3,661
2,753
2,234
1,562
1,104
1,577
1,028768
526674 639
856
2,388
3,089
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Inc
iden
ts/Y
ear
Significant increase in graffiti incidents in past two years.
Added second city worker to the Graffiti Abatement Program
More aggressive reporting and documentation of even minor incidents like ‘slap tags’ and markers
No major pattern to graffiti - mostly small, isolated incidents
No related increase in gang activity or tag-banging
Simi Valley Community Gang Task Force
Graffiti Investigation & Enforcement
S.V.P.D. Special Problems Section
Look for patterns, work with SRO’s
Stings, surveillances, informants
LCA – 6 arrests, 60 incidents, $50,000 damage
RIP 816 – 2 arrests, 70 incidents, $12,000 damage
YTD – 14 offenders paid over $15,000 in restitution
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TTT”The Chosen Few
New tagging crew in the last year
Not organized
Many arrests for tagging as well as alcohol
narcotics, trespassing
Outcasts, almost ‘Goth’ look, male & female
Simi Valley Community Gang Task Force
Two of the adults from The Chosen Few arrested for tagging, conspiracy, and resisting arrest.
Publics Works administers programProgram started in 1990Two full-time staff membersStaff works seven days a weekHighly publicized Graffiti HotlineRespond to each call, document & removeGraffiti removal seven days a week
City Graffiti Abatement Program
Graffiti Removal:175,000 sq feet year-to-date49% removed by City contractors42% removed by City staff9% removed by property ownerAnnual budget of $250,000
(salaries/overhead, contractors, supplies)
City Graffiti Abatement Program
Municipal Code Section 5-31.07(1)
Unless the property owner provides specified written consent authorizing the City or its contractor to abate the graffiti, the property owner shall have ten (10) calendar days after the date of the City’s notice to remove the graffiti.
City Graffiti Abatement Program
Simi Valley Community Gang Task Force
Gang sign? Drug activity? Shoeffiti?Added this year to our graffiti removal program
Simi Valley Community Gang Task Force
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Community Gang Task Force
Formed in 1995 to address gang and graffiti in the City
Representatives from City Council, School & Park boards, government agencies, non-profits, and community members
Meet quarterly to discuss ideas to address gang, graffiti, at-risk youth issues
Currently working on a prevention resource directory
Advisory board to the City Council
Simi Valley Community Gang Task Force
One program administered by the Community Services Department to address
at-risk youth - TARP
Quick removal / hardening of targets More aggressive use of Muni Code to seek restitutionReferral resources / alternative activities for at-risk youthPublic education of dangers and costsCooperation with other agencies – DA Graffiti task forceEmphasis on investigation and enforcementStricter punishment – require clean upBetter use of Muni Code to restrict access to implements
Ways to reduce graffiti incidents
Mayor Pro Tem Michelle S. Foster
Council MemberGlen T. Becerra
Council MemberBarbra Williamson
Council MemberSteven T. Sojka
MayorPaul Miller
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GRAFFITI SUMMITVENTURA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTSDEC. 5, 2007PRESENTATION BYJUDGE MANUEL J. COVARRUBIASSUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIACOUNTY OF VENTURA
VANDALISM/GRAFFITIVANDALISM DEFINEDDEGREES AND PENALTIES OTHER SANCTIONS/CONSEQUENCESJUVENILE COURT PROCESS
VANDALISM DEFINEDPenal Code Section 594
Every person who maliciously commits any of the following acts with respect to any real or personal property not his or her own, . . ., is guilty of vandalism(1)Deface with graffiti or other inscribed material
• The term “Graffiti” or “Other inscribed material” includes any unauthorized inscription, word, figure, mark or design that is written, marked, etched, scratched, drawn or painted on real or personal property
(2)Damages(3)Destroys
DEGREES AND PENALTIESMisdemeanor vandalism P.C. 594(b)(2)(A)
If amount of damage/defacement is less than $400.00, subject to penalties of up to 1 year in county jail and/or $1,000.00 fineIf prior conviction for P.C. 594 jail up to 1 year and fine up to $5,000.00
Felony vandalism P.C. 594(b)(1)If amount of damage/defacement is more than $400.00, subject to state prison or up to 1 year in county jail or a fine up to $10,000.00.If damage/defacement is over $10,000.00 then subject to imprisonment and fine up to $50,000.00.
DEGREES AND PENALTIESVANDALISM OVER $400 CAN BE FILED AS A FELONY OR MISDEMEANOR
IF FILED AS A FELONY SUBJECT TO INCARCERATION IN STATE PRISON FOR 18 MONTHS, 2 YEARS OR 3 YEARS.IF FILED AS A MISDEMEANOR SUBJECT TO INCARCERATION FOR UP TO 1 YEAR IN COUNTY JAIL
PENALTIES/SANCTIONSPenal Code Sec. 594(c)
Upon conviction of any person for vandalism defacement with graffiti in addition to any punishment imposed, the court may order the defendant to clean up, repair or replace the damage, or order the defendant and his or her parents or guardians if the defendant is a minor, to keep the damaged property or another specified property in the community free of graffiti for up to one year.
Vehicle Code Sec. 13202.6(a)(1)If 13 years or older license suspension or if not licensed a delay in obtaining a license.First time offense 1 year suspension or delay up to 3 years.
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JUVENILE COURTThe Purpose of Juvenile Court
Welfare and Institution Code Sec. 202• The purpose is to provide for the protection and safety of the
public and each minor under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and to preserve and strengthen the minor’s family ties whenever possible, removing the minor from the custody of his or her parents only when necessary for his or her welfare or forthe safety and protection of the public.
• Minors under the jurisdiction of the court as a result of delinquent conduct shall receive service in conformity with the interest of public safety and protection, receiving care, treatment, services and guidance consistent with his or her bestinterest, that holds the minor accountable for his or her behavior. This guidance may include punishment which is consistent with the rehabilitative objectives of this code.
JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS654-Informal handling without Court intervention654.2-Court Intervention.
Petition filed6 months Informal Probation
• Obey all laws• No use of substances, including alcohol marijuana• Community Service hours• Attend and behave in school• Restitution
If successful, charges dropped, case dismissed.If unsuccessful, charges go forward
790-Deferred Entry of Judgment(DEJ)Applies to felony chargesMinor required to admit all of the chargesMust be 14 years of age Under supervision of Probation for min. of 1 year, no more than 3 years
• Similar obligations as informal probation
If successful, charges dismissed, record sealedIf unsuccessful, subject to becoming a ward and all the sanctions available
602 WardshipIf Minor admits the charges or found to be true by Court at trial
Declared a ward of the CourtProbation Rules imposed on minor to help with rehabilitation Community ServicePay RestitutionSubstance Terms, Graffiti Terms, Gang TermsCounseling, CurfewHome Arrest/Electronic MonitoringJuvenile Facility CommitmentSuitable PlacementCalifornia Department of Correction Division of Juvenile Justice
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Ventura Council of Governments Graffiti Summit 2007
Ventura Council of Governments Graffiti Summit 2007
Inside the DA’s Office
• Juvenile and Adult Cases• Juvenile Cases
• Handled by the Juvenile Prosecution Unit as a whole.
• Adult Cases• Handled by one specifically
assigned DDA to prosecute all adult graffiti vandalism cases.
Graffiti Cases
Different Levels of Prosecution• Misdemeanor
• Graffiti Less Than $400• Graffiti Tools
• Felony• Graffiti More Than $400• Conspiracy
• STEP Act Cases• Criminal Street Gangs Involved in Tagging.
Costs of Graffiti
Extreme Range of Cost for Graffiti Damage • Typical Reasons for Variation in Cost
• Square Footage of Graffiti• Permanence of Graffiti
• Can it Be Wiped Clean or Painted Over?• Did it Permeate or Etch Surface?
• Administrative Costs to City or County
Examples of Different GraffitiLower Cost Graffiti: Low Square Footage
Examples of Different GraffitiHigher Cost Graffiti: Greater Square Footage
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Costs of Graffiti
All Graffiti Has One Similar Cost • Regardless of the Size of the Graffiti,
All Graffiti Has a Negative Effect on the Quality of Life of the Citizens of the Community.
Juvenile Cases
Different Methods of Handling • Informal Probation
• Probation handles case without a formal petition.
• § 654.2 Informal Probation• Juvenile must stay free of other offenses
for 6 months and must complete certain terms.
• § 602 Wardship• Juveniles are placed on probation and
given anything from electronic monitoring to actual time in custody.
Juvenile Cases
Common Punishments for Juvenile Graffiti • Restitution• Fines• Drivers License Suspension• Graffiti Education Classes• Community Service
Adult Cases
Common Punishments for Adult Graffiti• Restitution• Probation• Search Terms• Fine• Driver’s License Suspension• Jail or Work Release• Prison
Adult Cases
• Vertical Prosecution• Specifically assigned DDA handles all
adult graffiti related matters from case review to sentencing.
• Coordination of Graffiti Task Force• Specifically assigned DDA coordinates
the Graffiti Task Force.
Ventura County Graffiti Task Force
• A task force composed of Law Enforcement, Probation, and the District Attorney’s Office that meets monthly to discuss trends, exchange intelligence, and identify emerging issues in the suppression of graffiti.
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Current Strategies Against Graffiti
Horizontal Interagency Communications• Facilitate communication between the
District Attorney’s Office and Law Enforcement in order to:
• Develop Effective Enforcement Strategies;
• Develop Investigation Strategies;• Develop Restitution Methodology.
Current Measures Against Graffiti
STEP Act Prosecutions• Using the Street Terrorism Enforcement
and Prevention Act When Appropriate• Gangs Mark Territory with Graffiti;• Gangs Intimidate Neighborhoods with
Graffiti;• Gangs Make Threats and Instigate
Gang Violence with Graffiti.
Future Goals in Graffiti Suppression
Goals• Maintain Same Level of Cooperation
Between Law Enforcement Countywide.• Better Communicate the Impact of Graffiti
on the Victims and the Community to All Concerned Parties.
• Reduce the Number of Graffiti Vandals.
Ventura Council of Governments Graffiti Summit 2007
Ventura Council of Governments Graffiti Summit 2007
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