City of Madras
Police Department
Is your community
plagued with graffiti? Are you seeing more and more unwanted
markings and gang related scribble around town, on stop signs,
in public restrooms, on walls of buildings, etc...?
Graffiti plagues businesses and communities
across America. It defaces both public and private property
alike. Graffiti when left in place invites crime to your neighborhood
and defaces your community.
What
Graffiti Means to a Community
Graffiti defaces entire cities, and by allowing it to
remain in place on personal or private property in your community,
a clear message is being sent that nobody cares, thus encouraging
further crime in affected areas.
Young people are the primary offenders of graffiti application
and generally range from grade school age children to people
in their early twenties. There are many reasons as to why
placing graffiti on other objects is so popular amongst this
young crowd. Anger, boredom, revenge, to show defiance toward
rules, laws and authority to name a few. Gangs use graffiti
to talk to each other and to send messages showing turf claimed,
communicating threats to rival gangs, and listing members
of that particular group.
Rest assured that if you allow graffiti to run rampant in
your community, you are only inviting additional problems
of criminal activity in your area.
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Zero Tolerance
Policy
Communities can adopt a zero tolerance policy for graffiti
type vandalism. First, identify the areas
most susceptible to graffiti and teach property owners
effective removal methods.
Participants needed to make this an effective policy should
include property owners victimized by graffiti, businesses,
schools, government, recreation facilities, utilities, public
works, etc....
Getting rid of graffiti immediately should be the communities
first step in reducing further vandalism of this type in our
City.
This should not be considered an over night fix, however,
community persistence in conjunction with law enforcement
almost always emerge victorious. Once an area is cleaned up
of graffiti, there are methods that can be utilized to help
reduce future graffiti in a particular area. This can be accomplished
by a philosophy known as Crime
Prevention Through Environmental Design (changing landscaping,
lighting, fencing, etc)
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Take
a Stand to Prevent Graffiti and Vandalism In Madras
It's time to get rid of the Graffiti in Madras. Time to Make
it disappear! Paint over graffiti as soon as it occurs, repair
damaged property, keep an eye on public property areas for
damage and cleanliness. If you can't take part in doing some
of these things yourself then at least let us know where the
problem areas are so we can take steps in correcting them.
Refer to our Graffiti Clean Up Program explained below. If
you see anyone committing an act of vandalism, of any kind,
report it immediately to the Madras Police Department or the
Jefferson County Sheriffs Office.
Neighborhood Watch is an important element in reducing graffiti
and other forms of vandalism in your community. This Watch
Program is only as strong as you make it. You have to want
to make a difference and be a part of the partnership with
law enforcement to really make a difference in Madras.
Get involved by supporting youth
recreational programs in your community. Volunteer your time,
donate money or supplies,
and help in any way you can.
There are several things that can be organized and put into
action. Community members can adopt a street or park. Create
a monthly park patrol to clean up litter and keep and eye
on things. Plant trees, bushes and flowers. Repair equipment
and install trash containers. Join a monthly "park patrol"
to clean up litter and keep an eye on things. Let us know
if you are interested in anything at all by sending Email.
Be sure to put 'Taking A Stand' in the subject line for proper
routing. If you have new ideas, we'd like to hear them.
Utilize our Graffiti
Clean Up program to assist in our efforts to keep Madras
clean and prevent criminal activity. Don't assume "someone
else" will do it. You ARE that someone!
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Oregon Graffiti
Laws
ORS 164.381- Definitions (Graffiti)
1. "Graffiti" means any inscriptions, words, figures
or designs that are marked, etched, scratched, drawn, painted,
pasted or otherwise affixed to the surface of property.
2. "Graffiti implement" means paint, ink, chalk,
dye or other substance or any instrument or article designed
or adapted for spraying, marking, etching, scratching or carving
surfaces.
ORS 164.383 - Unlawful Application of Graffiti:
1. A person commits the offense of unlawfully applying graffiti
if the person, having no right to do so, nor reasonable ground
to believe that the person has right, intentionally damages
property of another by applying graffiti to property.
ORS 164.386 - Unlawfully Possessing Graffiti Implement:
1. A person commits the offense of unlawfully possessing
a graffiti implement if the person possess a graffiti implement
with the intent of using the graffiti implement in violation
of ORS 164.383.
ORS 164.345 - Criminal Mischief III:
1. A person commits the crime of criminal mischief in he
third degree if, with intent to cause substantial inconvenience
to the owner or to another person, and having no right to
do so nor reasonable ground to believe that the person has
such right, the person tampers or interfered with property
of another. (Class 'C' Misdemeanor)
ORS 164.354 - Criminal Mischief II:
1. A person commits the crime of criminal mischief in the
second degree if:
a) The person violates ORS 164.345, and as a result thereof,
damages property in an amount exceeding $100.00; or
b) Having no right to do so nor reasonable ground to believe
that the person has such right, that person intentionally
damages property of another, or, the person recklessly damages
property of another in an amount exceeding $100.00. (Class
'A' Misdemeanor)
NOTE: If there is intent, then
any dollar amount of damage is inclusive under this law and
is not restricted to exceeding $100.00. (Any class 'A' Misdemeanor
is punishable by up to 1 year incarceration upon conviction.)
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Areas
Most Susceptible to Graffiti
Any large surface is appealing and may be susceptible to
graffiti scribble. Large retaining walls, sides of business
buildings, school buildings etc... Street signs and utility
boxes, curbs, guard rails, under and along side bridges, in
alley ways where it is darker at night, sides of houses, public
picnic tables and public restrooms are just a few. Madras
has seen its share of graffiti in all of the categories listed.
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Effective
Removal Methods/Tips/Products - Additional
links, methods and tips will be added in the future.
Removal Products
Methods and Tips
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Crime
Prevention Through Environmental Design
Landscaping - Landscaping
can be used to define territory, control access and reinforce
ownership. Remember bushes that provide you with privacy,
also give the burglar a place to hide. Do not leave ladders
or tools outside. Avoid high solid fences, walls and hedges.
Answer the following questions:
- Are shrubs trimmed down for natural surveillance?
(recommended maximum height of three feet)
- Are trees trimmed up for natural surveillance? (recommended:
provide visual clearance below six feet in height)
- Are there any landscaping/lighting conflicts? (Trees
and shrubs trimmed that block light fixtures, interfere
with lighting patterns.)
- Does your landscaping eliminate adult size hiding places
near windows and doors?
- Are plantings low enough not to allow access to windows
or roof tops?
- Do plantings block visibility for windows and doors?
Fences - Even if part of your yard is fenced,
it may prevent some burglaries. A burglar likes a clear path
of escape and feces slow him/her down. A six foot fence with
a strong padlock and hasp on the gate will keep all but the
most determined burglar out. A sturdy or thorny hedge will
serve the same purpose. Keep tables, chairs, and any items
which could be used as a stepping stone away from fences.
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Donate Money
and Supplies
Donations will be gladly accepted on an ongoing basis. Contact
Mike Beeler at the Jefferson County Juvenile Office for information
on where to send funds and/or supplies. A special note will
be added to our Web Site thanking those who donate Funds,
Supplies or Time.
Mike Beeler
541-475-3463
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