CAMARILLO : City to Consider Anti-Graffiti Law

Following the lead of other Southern California cities, the Camarillo City Council on Wednesday will consider an anti-graffiti law that would punish the parents of minors caught defacing buildings, outdoor walls and signs.

The proposed law would make parents of children who are caught spraying or scraping graffiti responsible for up to $10,000 in damages, payable to the owner of the defaced property, a city staff report said.

The law would also prohibit youths under 18 from buying spray paint, glass-etching tools or other items that can be used for graffiti, and would restrict people of any age from possessing such materials in public places such as parks, streets and swimming pools.

If the council passes the proposed ordinance, Camarillo shop owners would have to store spray paint and other items that can be used for graffiti in areas that are not accessible to customers.

Camarillo spends $60,000 a year cleaning graffiti off property owned by the city and private residents, the staff report said.

But Ventura County sheriff’s deputies are able to arrest only 10 to 15 people per year for graffiti crimes in the city.

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors and the cities of Ventura and Los Angeles have recently passed graffiti laws similar to the one proposed in Camarillo.

Oxnard passed such an ordinance two years ago, according to the staff report.