Federal Way declares emergency, gets tough on graffiti
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. (AP) - Federal Way is cracking down on graffiti.
On Tuesday night, the City Council toughened its laws against graffiti, giving property owners three days to clean it up and making it illegal to possess spray paint and other tools with the intent to create graffiti.
The changes go into effect immediately.
The council also added the crime of aggravated graffiti with mandatory jail time for repeat offenders. A person convicted of creating graffiti a second time would be sentenced to at least five days in jail.
But the council rejected a staff proposal to fine property owners or renters $100 a day for every day they don't clean up graffiti on their property after 48 hours. Council members decided it wasn't fair to penalize graffiti victims with a fine.
Instead, property owners will get three days to clean up after being notified by the city. If they don't remove the marks in three days, they can contact the city to work out a plan for cleanup.
On Tuesday night, the City Council toughened its laws against graffiti, giving property owners three days to clean it up and making it illegal to possess spray paint and other tools with the intent to create graffiti.
The changes go into effect immediately.
The council also added the crime of aggravated graffiti with mandatory jail time for repeat offenders. A person convicted of creating graffiti a second time would be sentenced to at least five days in jail.
But the council rejected a staff proposal to fine property owners or renters $100 a day for every day they don't clean up graffiti on their property after 48 hours. Council members decided it wasn't fair to penalize graffiti victims with a fine.
Instead, property owners will get three days to clean up after being notified by the city. If they don't remove the marks in three days, they can contact the city to work out a plan for cleanup.