Burnaby’s fight against acid-based graffiti could soon have the support of municipalities across the province following a motion passed at the community policing committee meeting last week.
On Thursday, members of the committee voted in favour of drafting a resolution requesting the provincial government regulations that would control the access and sale of products used by graffiti vandals in B.C. The resolution would be sent to the Union of B.C. Municipalities as well as the Lower Mainland and Local Government Association.
Graffiti vandalism has been a major concern for the City of Burnaby since 2006 when the mayor’s task force on graffiti was created. The city, along with the Burnaby RCMP, have taken numerous steps to stopping vandals but in late December 2013 and earlier this year, staff noted there had been an increase in acid-based graffiti vandalism.
Using acid to vandalize property is especially damaging as it can’t be painted over or removed. Property vandalized by the acid would have to be replaced, city staff noted.
Margaret Manifold, senior social planner, told the committee both the city and RCMP’s education approach to the problem of graffiti vandalism has worked well thus far.
As part of the education, staff on the city’s task force on graffiti visited a shop they determined was the main supplier of products used for acid graffiti in Burnaby.
“The city’s anti-graffiti coordinator visited the retailer and found that these materials were on open display in the store,” a report to the committee stated. “The anti-graffiti coordinator advised the store manager of the risk of theft and the resulting damage that could occur in the community.”
Manifold said the manager of the store was accommodating and implemented the coordinator’s suggestion that he keep the products inside a locked display case.
But in order to impact the amount of graffiti vandalism happening in the city, Manifold said the city needs to ask the province for help.
Staff will now draft up a resolution that will be sent to both the Union of B.C. Municipalities and the Lower Mainland and Local Government Association.
For more information on the city’s policy regarding graffiti visit www.burnaby.ca/Page175.aspx.
