LAGG MEDIA posted on June 01, 2011 13:15
COURTS will have the power to strip graffiti vandals of their driving licences and force them to clean up their ''mess'' under laws introduced yesterday.
The Premier, Barry O'Farrell, said young offenders would be forced to appear before a magistrates court, which could prolong the time spent on learner or provisional drivers licences.
Those with a licence could either have it suspended or face a reduction in the number of demerit points required to trigger the loss of their licence.
Community service orders would also be used to force people to clean up their graffiti.
Mr O'Farrell said graffiti vandalism was costing the community more than $100 million a year, including a $50 million cost to RailCorp.
He said it was time to make offenders ''clean up their mess'' and face tough penalties.
''We know that too many of those involved in graffiti are young boys, but we know that young boys enjoy their cars and drivers licences - that's why we think this is an effective policy,'' he said.
Mr O'Farrell said jail was an option under existing legislation for repeat offenders. ''We are not changing that. What we are doing though is better tailoring … the laws to those who are committing these offences,'' he said.
The Attorney-General, Greg Smith, said local authorities such as Blacktown Council, were paying $850,000 a year to remedy graffiti.
''That is just not acceptable when people are being deprived of having their streets fixed, their gutters fixed,'' he said. ''We will be encouraging courts to do the right thing and we'll be watching.''
Mr Smith said the new penalties were designed for first-time offenders and further penalties were already available for repeat offenders.
The Greens MP David Shoebridge said juveniles brought into the justice system were more likely to offend a second time.
''While the rest of the world is diverting juveniles from the criminal justice system, NSW is going backwards and putting more juveniles before our courts,'' he said.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/graffiti-vandals-forced-to-clean-up-20110531-1fesp.html#ixzz1NzTjZYaL