Graffiti redress plan spearheaded

After a recent meeting with the San Diego District Attorney’s (DA) office, the Fallbrook Sheriff’s substation is spearheading a project that would help law enforcement further document gang graffiti and help add charges against gang members who tag property.

According to Lt. Robert Haley, the commanding officer for Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the Fallbrook command, he and his team met with the DA’s office to submit a proposal for graffiti tracking cameras, which would be given to County Department of Public Works (DPW) teams to help take photos of graffiti before replacing signs and painting over any public areas in the unincorporated parts of the county.

“It’s very simple [to photograph the graffiti], but it is vital to get documentation,” said Haley. “Signs might cost anywhere from $100 to $400, since they have to be replaced when tagged because the paint ruins the sign. I have already met with the DPW teams in all areas of the county and given them and their work crew supervisors a brief training of how to use the cameras.”

The cameras, which traditionally cost approximately $3,500, will cost $1,150 if purchased in bulk by the Sheriff’s department, said Haley, who plans to go to the Unfunded Needs Committee in January to present his findings.

Currently DPW crews replace street signs or repaint public areas without documenting the damage or calling law enforcement for reports.

“They were essentially ‘mowing lawns and getting rid of weeds,’ so we couldn’t charge people appropriately,” said Haley, who said the process of removing graffiti is costly.

“The latest estimate to clean up South Vine was approximately $4,000,” said Haley. “It’s nearly getting to the point that it’s too big a project for [DPW] to do, and they may have to contract it out.”

There are two types of graffiti, according to Haley, the first being gang graffiti – used to mark territory – and tagging – which is done by individuals who consider themselves to be artists.

The members of Fallbrook’s Senior Volunteer Patrol currently visit homes and private property that have graffiti and take photos of the taggings.

“We’ll try to get cost recovery estimates if possible, and take down all information,” said Haley. “We try to add counts, even if it’s a misdemeanor.”

“In Fallbrook, we have gang-related graffiti, more primarily related with marking territory,” said Haley. “We are working on that. We had a good meeting with the DA and explained the process to get these cases filed and warranted.”

Haley stated that some suspects have been identified in graffiti cases around town, and he is looking for a way to require them pay restitution.

“The Fallbrook Beautification Alliance does a good job on its cleanup efforts,” said Haley. “However, if we get things painted over immediately, which we try to do, it’s hard to say how much it costs. We are working on a few things to have the suspects pay restitution and be held responsible.”

For Haley, this step against graffiti is a step towards a better-looking Fallbrook.

“Graffiti is a quality of life issue,” he said. “No one wants to see walls and street signs marked up. It’s not presentable for the town of Fallbrook.”

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