Page 3656 - Week 11 - Thursday, 22 September 2005
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Crime—graffiti incidents
(Question No 503)
Mr Pratt asked the Minister for Urban Services, upon notice, on 23 August 2005:
(1) How (a) much has the ACT Government spent on graffiti removal, (b) many reports of graffiti vandalism were received, (c) many graffiti incidents were cleaned up within 24 hours of being reported and (d) many offenders have been (i) caught, (ii) charged and (iii) penalised or prosecuted for graffiti related offences, for the period 1 January to 30 June 2005;
(2) What was the average penalty given for graffiti offences for the period 1 January to 30 June 2005;
(3) How many (a) graffiti offenders have been successfully rehabilitated through diversionary art programs, (b) participants have there been in these diversionary art programs over the last three financial years and (c) people charged, cautioned or otherwise with graffiti offences have previously participated in diversionary art programs.
Mr Hargreaves: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
1.
For the period 1 January to 30 June 2005,
a) $458,625
b) 4,895
c) The graffiti removal contracts for government assets require most areas to be inspected weekly. Graffiti with offensive words or messages must be removed within 24 hours of observation or notification. All other graffiti must be removed within 3 days. Although less than 2% of the reported graffiti is offensive, more than 80% of all reported graffiti incidents are removed within 24 hours. The remainder, with the odd exception is removed within 3 days. The contracts require at least 95% compliance. This is being achieved.
d) The Department of Urban Services does not keep this information.
2. The Department of Urban Services does not keep this information.
3.
a) The programs have been a successful diversionary measure for the majority of participants. This was evident in their interest to learn art skills, the increasing pride they took in learning to draw and creating their artworks, increased social confidence, increased skills, motivation to continue on to learn other art skills in a formal context and participation in public murals where they adjusted their styles as needed.
b) The first such courses occurred in 2004. There have been two courses in 2004/05. Thirty-two young people attended these workshops. Subsequent workshops have been run by Reclink, a service of the Police and Citizen’s Youth Club, and they have maintained a regular attendance of between six – ten participants for each course.
c) The Department of Urban Services does not keep this information.
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