A SANDRINGHAM resident wants to set up a graffiti action group to combat a problem he says is tainting Bayside.
Michael Schirrman has started his plan by organising a working bee of eight residents and business owners to clean up the mess and raise awareness.
“Instead of tackling the problem, the broader community has resigned to the fact it is part of our landscape and are choosing to ignore it rather than try to fix it,” Mr Schirrman said.
He said graffiti hot spots included railway stations, Bluff Rd residential properties and the Gipsy Way laneway near Sandringham station.
Mr Schirrman said he wanted to heighten community awareness, boost penalties for offenders and make councils more proactive in removing graffiti.
Bayside Council Mayor James Long said the council was working with the community to prevent and remove graffiti in the area.
“Council will continue to actively monitor, prevent and remove graffiti in all its forms,” he said.
Sandringham Liberal MP Murray Thompson said he had had numerous talks with Mr Schirrman on the establishment of a voluntary graffiti action group.
Sandringham police acting Sgt Mark James said he encouraged residents to take a role in combating graffiti in the local area.
Police tracked repeat offenders through a database of graffiti tags, he said.