By ALESHA CAPONE
THE rising rate of graffiti in Sunshine has caused Brimbank City Council to increase the frequency of its graffiti removal patrols.
Police have also confirmed a council graffiti removal contractor has been threatened by a group of men at a Sunshine park.
The incident occurred in some public toilets at the Kevin Wheelahan Gardens in Devonshire Rd, at around 10am on 18 June, and was reported to police by the council.
“Four males verbally abused and chased away a male contractor,” Inspector Stephen Mutton told Star.
The council’s director of infrastructure and environment Paul Younis said the graffiti at the site has since been removed.
“Currently a there is a high occurrence of graffiti in Sunshine, including H.V. McKay and Kevin Wheelahan Gardens, and council has responded by increasing the frequency of graffiti removal,” Mr Younis said last week.
“The removal of graffiti is important to the town centre and the amenity of our public spaces, and council and the community are justifiably frustrated by constant and ongoing graffiti that is occurring.”
Brimbank Inspector Chris Gilbert said anyone caught committing graffiti, or carrying graffiti tools like spray paint cans, could be arrested.
“Graffiti is another blight that can skew perceptions of safety,” he wrote on the Brimbank Police Eyewatch internet page.
Insp Gilbert described Sunshine’s graffiti as “senseless damage to property, public and private”.
The maximum penalty for graffitists can be up to two years imprisonment or a fine of $27,220.
Brimbank council’s graffiti management policy, adopted last year, shows about $210,000 of ratepayer’s money is spent every year on removing graffiti and other forms of vandalism.
The council runs legal street art projects with youths and removes graffiti from 30 priority sites across the municipality, with inspections carried out on a fortnightly and weekly basis.
To report graffiti, contact the council on 9249 4000.
