Clean up own mess” – NSW Premier

NSW Premier Nathan Rees said the NSW Government will introduce tough new laws to force young graffiti offenders to clean up their mess.

Images: Cardiff RSL security camera of ‘opera’ tagger in action.

The new laws are part of a renewed push by the NSW Government to tackle graffiti.

It is time they got the message – if you make a mess you have to clean it up,” Mr Rees said.

Frankly the community has had enough, I’ve had enough.”

The NSW Government will amend the Young Offenders Regulation to mandate outcomes for graffiti offenders.

Youth justice conferences will then be requiring vandals to agree to either:

• Clean up graffiti or perform other available community service work;
• Pay compensation to their victim; or
• Participate in training or education programs.

The community is fed up and I’m determined to force young graffiti vandals to make amends for the damage they cause,” Mr Rees said.

As well as the crackdown on young offenders, the NSW Government’s plan to target graffiti includes:

• An overhaul of prevention and clean-up measures;
• Working with local councils to come up with new ways of tackling the problem;
• An instruction from the Police Commissioner to all Local Area Commands to target graffiti and vandalism;
• A blitz by the Office of Fair Trading to ensure retailers are complying with new laws on the sale of spray cans.

I want vandals to be held responsible for their destructive behaviour, “Mr Rees said.

If the young offender does not comply with these directives then they will face the full force of the law and may spend time in juvenile detention.

Just three months ago the NSW Government toughened laws against graffiti vandalism and possession of graffiti implements.

If people tell me these laws do not go far enough – we will take them even further.”

Currently around 400 referrals are made each year to Youth Justice Conferences for young offenders on graffiti or malicious damage charges.  

Some 59 per cent of the outcomes of these conferences involve the young offender doing community service work which may include graffiti clean up.  

These new mandated outcomes will help ensure more offenders perform graffiti clean up work.

Juvenile offenders subject to community service orders are already being forced to perform graffiti clean up work, more than 64,000 hours of graffiti clean-up work has been completed since the program commenced some eight years ago.”

Mr Rees said the NSW Government would be working on further measures to combat graffiti and vandalism.

I want a tougher approach to this problem,” Mr Rees said.

There is no magic wand, but we need to work in partnership with the community, local government and parents to drive down the incidence of graffiti and vandalism.”

Ken Marslew from the Enough is Enough anti-violence movement endorsed the reforms.

Youth Justice Conferencing is very successful in forcing young offenders to confront their victims and face up to their behaviour”, said Mr Marslew.

But we need to make sure we’re getting the right outcomes so the punishment fits the crime.”

Four men were arrested for graffiti attacks alleged to have targeted numerous residences and businesses in Sydney’s south-west.

About 1am today (7 June) Campbelltown police, as part of Operation Graffiti, were called to Sturt Street after reports of four males damaging street signs.

Police arrested a 17-year-old youth and three 19-year-olds who were taken to Camden Police Station and each were charged with two counts of malicious damage.

Cars, homes and signs along Sturt, Colonial, George and Hume Streets, as well as the Waminda Avenue Shops, were damaged by spray paint, costing thousands of dollars in cleanup.

Those in the local community who wake this morning to discover properties freshly damaged by graffiti to contact Campbelltown Police Station on (02) 4620-1199.

A man and a juvenile were charged after allegedly damaging a war memorial with graffiti at Dapto 3 June).

Police from Lake Illawarra Local Area Command went to Dapto Railway Station about 3:30pm after reports that two males had damaged the memorial.

Police reported a number of ‘tags’ on the granite walls of the memorial and damage to the toilets at Dapto Railway Station.

Police searched the males and allegedly located spray cans on them. Both were arrested and taken to Port Kembla Police Station.

An 18-year-old Unanderra man was charged with a number of offences including damage or impair the Memorial Building or dedicated area, two counts of malicious damage, possess thing intended for use in damaging property and not pay train fare and hold valid ticket.

A 13-year-old Cringila youth was dealt with via the Young Offenders Act and will face a youth conference regarding the same offences.

NSW Transport Minister David Campbell today said the number of graffiti incidents on State Transit buses had dropped by 25 per cent from the last financial year.

Mr Campbell said the NSW Government had taken a number of steps to combat graffiti on the State Transit fleet in Sydney and Newcastle and figures showed that they were working.

“Any form of graffiti or vandalism on our buses is just not on and State Transit has been working closely with the NSW Police and schools to reduce the number of incidents of graffiti on buses,” Mr Campbell said.

“Our strategy of early detection and rapid removal of graffiti has proven to be an extremely effective way of reducing the impact of vandalism on buses and property and has also meant that services themselves are not disrupted by graffiti incidents.

“Over recent years, the installation of digital CCTV systems on all buses has helped deter and identify repeat offenders who deface the interior of buses.

“These initiatives have been successful in driving down graffiti on our buses, with the number of reported incidents dropping from 194 in 06/07 to 145 in 07/08.”

Mr Campbell said other initiatives to combat graffiti and make it easier to remove include:

• • Anti-graffiti cloth covering all seats;
• • Replaceable film on windows to prevent permanent damage from etching;
• • Operation Bus Stop, a joint initiative between the NSW Police and State Transit, whereby uniformed Police randomly patrol buses for anti-social behaviour;
• • Bus drivers checking buses at the conclusion of every shift to ensure the rapid detection and removal of graffiti;
• • Graffiti ‘signatures’ or ‘tags’ being routinely photographed and forwarded to Police; and
• • Engaging School Principals when major instances of graffiti are found on school services.

“Keeping public transport clean, safe and free of graffiti is a major priority for the Government,” Mr Campbell said.

“Earlier this year, the NSW Government introduced new laws to ban marker pens or etching implements for the purpose of committing vandalism to property. This type of vandalism carries a fine of up to $2,200 or six months jail.

“Anyone who notices this type of malicious damage to buses is encouraged to contact Transport Info on 131 500 and provide a bus number and time.

“We have pride in our State Transit fleet, as do the majority of responsible passengers. The small minority who don’t must learn the same respect or face the penalties.”

Graffiti vandals were special focus in a major police crack down on graffiti and anti-social behaviour in Sydney’s west over two nights.

Operation Lorn launched by police after spate of anti-social and criminal behaviour, including graffiti.  Police tactics favoured shaming juvenile offenders – in front of parents – for their actions and made to clean away their graffiti.

The operation involved police from General Duties, Highway Patrol, Police Pushbikes, Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), Polair, Mounted Unit, Dog Squad, School Liaison Officers and plain clothes police. Officers from the Rail Vandalism Task Force and Commuter Crime Unit were also assisted by RailCorp Security.

Graffiti was only one of many more serious offensive or criminal activities. The operation also targeted gang activity in the area through proactive and high visibility policing, which aimed to reduce the incidence of crime and improve public safety.

As a result of the two-day operation, 31 arrests were made while 136 juveniles were searched near graffiti hot spots and 64 of them moved on.

Inspector Kevin Dodds from St Marys Local Area Command said the operation was a success and police in the region will continue to target anti-social behaviour.

We won’t take a backward step. Police will maintain a strong presence to prevent anti-social behaviour and graffiti vandalism.”

Parents of juveniles caught spray painting a building at a St Clair sportsground were confronted and supported police action to have their children clean the graffiti away.

We found it surprising when we confronted the parents, some weren’t even aware their children were involved in such criminal activity,” Insp Dodds said.

We will continue to work with parents in averting juveniles from criminal and anti-social behaviour through our Youth Liaison Officers and School Liaison Officers.”

Nine juveniles allegedly attached to “The St Clair Crew” were issued warnings for graffiti, as were two juveniles allegedly part of a street gang called “Bombin’ Local Carriages.”

ALL 16 World Champions of Surfing will return to Merewether, NSW, Australia, to celebrate Newcastle Surfest 2009.

From Mark Richards to Sunny Garcia, Mick Fanning to Kelly Slater, distinctive portraits of the world’s most influential surfing professionals will be on show at a unique exhibition of SURF ART running in conjunction with this year’s Surfest.

Newcastle artist Daniel Joyce’s series of illustrations of surfing’s greatest from 1976 to 2009 will be featured as part of his first solo exhibition, Firewater.

The four-day art display opens on Wednesday, March 18, at The Aqua Cellar, opposite the venue for Surfest 2009, Merewether Beach.

The talented young illustrator and airbrush painter began his caricature catalogue of surfing’s greatest in 2000, beginning with the Novocastrian legend “MR” and his 1970s contemporaries Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew and Shaun Tomson.

Inspired by the pioneering trio’s recent starring role in the acclaimed surf film Bustin’ Down The Door, Daniel will display his complete World Champs Series for the first time.

A keen surfer himself, Newcastle born and bred Daniel’s Firewater exhibition will feature an eclectic mix of more than 30 other paintings, illustrations and prints, including airbrushed surfboards, stunning surf-scapes on canvas and sketches of familiar Newcastle beach scenes and surf breaks viewed from in and out of the water.

Daniel has also created especially for the exhibition an evocative tribute to two World Champions of Women’s Surfing, Stephanie Gilmore (the 2007-08 title holder) and her friend, mentor and 1964 champion (and Australia’s first women’s world champ) Phyllis O’Donell.

Caves Beach-based Daniel, whose works have been published in the popular surfing magazines Tracks and Waves, has donated artworks to Surfest Ball charity auctions for the past eight years, in that time raising more than $15,000 for SIDS research.

This year, touched by the recent Victorian bushfire tragedy, Daniel will hold a Silent Art Auction for two of his displayed works, with proceeds to be donated to the Australian Red Cross.

As I worked on my art for this show I kept hearing the news from the Victorian bushfires and all those stories of heartbreak and heroism,” Daniel said.

It made me want to do something positive with my art which for me is all about capturing the environment that I love, the surf.”

Firewater, a surf art exhibition to coincide with Surfest 2009, runs from Thursday March 19 to Sunday March 22 at The Aqua Cellar, downstairs at Merewether’s Beach Hotel (Frederick Street front entrance).

Gallery hours:

11am to 5pm.

Opening night:

Wednesday March 18, from 6pm.

Media Release from Dan Joyce – March 13, 2009
Web: www.danieljoycedesign.com

I am drawn to the urban landscape, especially area of urban decay" says artist Charlene Weisler. I want to capture a slice of New York City that will soon no longer exist."

Weisler’s Urban Montage series of street art-inspired photographs  features her most recent portfolio of work with images taken in Manhattan and Brooklyn in 2007 and 2008. With a solo exhibition in Japan this past summer, Weisler’s work has recently been profiled in the New York Sun and in several magazines.

Her current Urban Montage body of work uses peeling, eroding and weathered street art as a template for photographic collage.

I don’t photograph acts of graffiti per se. I am drawn to the decay and chaos and how that becomes part of the art," she said.

As the photographer, Ms. Weisler searches through the vast urban territory looking for elements that can become independent images.

There’s a secretive nature to my photographs," Ms. Weisler said. "I am capturing forms you may not notice when walking by a wall covered with graffiti. And the landscape changes quickly. Many of my photographs are of images that no longer exist."

Her portfolio is located at www.CharleneWeisler.com

Crime Stoppers launches school campaign against graffiti vandalism

Graffiti vandalism is on the increase. From 7.3 percent in 2001, graffiti vandalism grew to 10 percent in 2006, representing an increase of 2.9 percent over this period.

A recent survey, conducted by Crime Stoppers Australia, found that 85 percent of 12 to 18 year olds believed vandalism is not a “cool” thing to do. 83 percent realised graffiti vandalism is identified as a crime and 74 percent believed graffiti is vandalism, yet graffiti vandalism continues to rise.

NSW Police Force has also found that individuals who commit graffiti vandalism are likely to also become involved in other criminal offences such as trespassing of property and stealing.

Eighty-six per cent of youth surveyed believed that there is a need for action to be taken against those participating in graffiti vandalism. With the detrimental effect graffiti vandalism has on their future and community, Crime Stoppers has taken the initiative to educate youth. A graffiti campaign called ‘Be Graffiti Smart’ has been developed to inform young students of the seriousness of graffiti vandalism and the repercussions.

With the assistance of the Senior Constable Rob Walsh, the School Liaison Officer for the Waratah sector, with the Policy Programs PHQ at Parramatta, NSW Crime Stoppers are scheduled to visit schools throughout the month of December to educate students about the effect graffiti vandalism has on their future and community.

Matthew Peet, also known as “Matthew-Mistery” is an inspiring local street-artist. Matthew is the spokesperson for a series of instructive graffiti school visits as part of Crime Stoppers’ campaign. His experience and reputation mean that Matthew can inform youth of the difference between graffiti vandalism and street-art, as well as ways to become involved in the creative and exciting world of street-art, rather than the crime of graffiti.

To reach school age children, an animated character called Frank Hardcase has been created. This hard-hitting investigative journalist is a campaign to bust the myth that graffiti vandalism is a victimless crime.

CEO of NSW Crime Stoppers, Mr Peter Price said,” the ‘Be Graffiti Smart’ campaign is designed to developed positive behaviours in young students so they can be aware of the wider effects of graffiti vandalism and to develop respect for their community”.

NSW Crime Stoppers believes it is necessary for youth to be addressed with facts on the seriousness of graffiti vandalism. How and why it is a crime, as well as convincing reason why youth should not become involved.

Three youths arrested over graffiti – Wollongong

Police from Wollongong Local Area Command have arrested three teenagers after they were allegedly found spraying graffiti in a rail tunnel at Coniston overnight.

Police were conducting an operation within Wollongong Cemetery about 9pm when they chased the youths through the Gladstone Ave tunnel.

The youths were arrested nearby and several cans of spray paint seized.

A 16-year-old youth from Bellambi has been charged with malicious damage, and possession of spray cans, while a 15-year-old youth from Cringila has been charged with breach of bail.

These youths have been refused bail and are due to appear in Wollongong Children’s Court later today.

A 15-year-old youth from Wollongong has been released pending further investigation.

Media Release:
Donnison Street, Gosford finally gets a department store, but there is a twist, it’s being painted on by local artist’s Graeme Bulchin and Russell Austin.

Gosford Business Improvement District’s first project to beautify Gosford was partly funded by a cultural grant from Gosford City Council and is the first of many outlined for the city.

What were once vacant untidy shops is now a department store featuring toys, perfumes, men’s and ladies wear and shoes to die for.

The design and artwork created by Graeme Bulchin was based on overwhelming feedback from the community to see a department store in Gosford.

“The painted shops are truly beautiful and the feedback we are receiving is very interesting, with one passerby wondering when the shoe shop is opening”, says Deborah Lowndes from the Gosford Business Improvement District.