Graffiti crackdown leads to arrest
Fredericton Police Force announces pending charges against 22-year-old suspect, whose home was searched and items seized
A day after the Fredericton Police Force (FPF) reported a spike in graffiti vandalism in the capital, it announced an arrest and subsequent search of a city residence related to such activity.
The police force issued a news release Tuesday reporting that there had been 210 reported instances of graffiti crime between January and June.
It said that compares to 131 during the same period in 2022, and 43 in 2021.
“Police have seen a surge in graffiti vandalism leaving the downtown core and other surrounding areas spattered with tags on private and public property, including walls of buildings, street and traffic signs, power poles, bridge structures, construction sites, mailboxes and dumpsters,” the release said.
It noted city hall had spent more than $75,000 to remove graffiti thus far in 2023.
On the heels of that advisory, the police force issued another news release Wednesday, advising officers had arrested a 22-year-old man Tuesday as a result of numerous incidents involving “spray-paint vandalism.”
“Following the arrest, FPF members executed a search warrant on the dwelling of the individual arrested, seizing evidence of graffiti-related items and communication devices,” the release said.
The force reported the suspect was released on a police undertaking that included a condition requiring him to attend court at a later date to face potential mischief charges.
The arrest and search involved members of the police force’s street crime, integrated community services and patrol units, the release said, with support from the RCMP and the City of Fredericton’s community safety services unit.
“While some may hear the word ‘graffiti’ and consider the act a form of art or mode of freestyle expression, the reality is that graffiti is an act of vandalism that costs Fredericton taxpayers and private business owners thousands of dollars annually to remove,” the police force said in the release.
“Cost to remove graffiti on street signs amounts on average to $150 per sign. Cost to replace graffiti damage to street signs vary from $150 to $200 each.
The force said the financial effects it’s reported don’t include the cost of cleanup for private buildings, spaces and companies.
It urged people to take a three-pronged approach to address vandalism, notably when it comes to graffiti.
- “Report the vandalism via the FPF’s online crime reporting tool, including photos and the locations of the vandalized area prior to removal.”
- “Remove the content from the impacted area quickly; this acts as a deterrent to the vandal, as their signature ‘tag’ will not be visible to the community.”
- “Repeat as often as necessary until the vandals realize this behaviour will not be tolerated, nor publicized.”
The force also asked anyone with information about the tags or those responsible to contact the Fredericton Police Force by calling 506-460-2300, or to report it through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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Heavy fine and community service . Should be assigned graffiti clean up.